[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 107 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8335-S8336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RATIFICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RUBBER AGREEMENT

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, as a Member of the Senate, I have seldom 
used the opportunity to put holds on bills. It has been a very rare 
occasion, but I have in the past few weeks put a hold on the 
ratification of the International Rubber Agreement. It is an outrage to 
consumers and an outrage to free enterprise.

[[Page S8336]]

  It is not my practice to have this issue decided by a hold, and I 
recognize the need for the Senate to have an opportunity for all 
Members to go on record on that issue. My intention is to try to get 
comments from the Attorney General with regard to its antitrust 
implications, and once those comments are back, to allow it to come to 
the floor for a full vote. If, indeed, the Attorney General does not 
respond to our inquiries, I will withdraw the hold in any case in early 
September so that the Senate can work its will on that issue.

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