[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3937-S3938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AND MARKET ACCESS ACT

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of 
S. 646, the Customs Enforcement and Market Access Act, introduced by 
the senior Senator from Kentucky, Mr. Ford. This measure would provide 
the American textile and apparel industry with clear oversight and 
enforcement of U.S. trade law, and the means to mobilize the industry's 
capability to compete in the increasingly competitive global market.
  For years, the U.S. textile and apparel sectors have been struggling 
to overcome the burdens of trade agreements that appear to mercilessly 
alter the textile and apparel quotas and tariffs systems, without 
offering the synergies necessary to compete under the new rules. 
Unfortunately, these burdens are magnified by unfair competition caused 
by overseas producers who seek to exceed and bypass these same 
negotiated agreements.
  In West Virginia, 2,900 textile and apparel jobs continue to survive, 
although the State has lost 3,000 of such jobs since 1990. Textile and 
apparel jobs are predominantly located in the State's more rural 
counties and are critical to the local economies. Additionally, these 
workers may not have the assets to relocate or the skills to easily 
transfer to another manufacturing sector.
  I believe that even the strongest supporters of laissez-faire 
economic ideologies must recognize the wisdom of negotiating trade 
agreements that avoid vast costs to, and unfair burdens on, particular 
segments of our economy. I am not advocating some outmoded retreat to 
protectionism. The United States must advocate open market and, at the 
same time, promote an equitable and fair trade system in which the 
American people have faith, in which American industries have a chance 
to compete, and which will curtail the shipping of American jobs 
overseas.
  In this regard, I believe that the Customs Enforcement and Market 
Access Act will provide the necessary impetus to remove the current 
obtrusive trade barriers from the textile and apparel industry, and 
invigorate the industry's ability to effectively compete in the global 
market. The bill's market-access provisions provide requirements for 
vigorous enforcement of trade agreements and for aggressive action 
against unfair trade practices by establishing a Special 301 authority. 
I have long been an ardent supporter of Section 301 and Super 301, and 
I believe that it is essential that the United States Trade 
Representative have the tools to quickly make unfair trade practice 
determinations and then diligently monitor and enforce corrective 
measures.
  This measure also allows reasonable federal investment to help the 
textile and apparel industry modernize and more effectively compete 
against overseas competitors. I am aware that there are many who doubt 
that the U.S. textile and apparel industries can re-establish 
themselves to be competitive global forces and, thus, will oppose this 
modest investment. I, however, do not doubt the abilities and spirit of 
these workers, just as I never doubted the ability of this nation's 
steel workers, who, against enormous odds, have today reclaimed their 
position as world class producers, following many years of struggle and 
uncertainty. I ask my colleagues to carefully weigh such a small 
investment and its possible returns against the billions we expend 
annually on various corporate welfare schemes for multimillion dollar 
industries.

  Crafting trade policies that balance domestic and international 
economic objectives is not easy. I hope that my colleagues will join me 
in supporting the Customs Enforcement and Market Access Act, which I 
believe accurately assesses the challenges of the global market and 
adequately provides the

[[Page S3938]]

tools necessary to improve the competitive position of the U.S. textile 
and apparel industry.
  In behalf of the textile and apparel workers in West Virginia, and 
the nation, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Customs Enforcement and 
Market Access Act. I thank Senator Ford for his leadership in 
introducing the bill.

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