[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THURMOND:
  S. 1010. A bill to suspend the rate of duty with respect to certain 
chemicals; to the Committee on Finance.


           duty suspension with respect to certain chemicals

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill which 
will suspend the duties on two chemicals used in the manufacturing of 
pharmaceuticals, ultraviolet protection products, and fragrances. 
Currently, these chemicals are imported into the United States.
  The first chemical, benzyl alcohol, is used to produce esters. In 
1996, this product was listed in the pharmaceutical category and 
carried a duty free status which has been overturned.
  The second chemical, benzophenone, is primarily used to produce 
pharmaceuticals, ultraviolet protection products, and fragrances. 
Currently, no domestic producer of this product exists. Therefore, 
suspending the duties on this item would not adversely affect domestic 
industries.
  Mr. President, suspending the duty on these chemicals will benefit 
the consumers by stabilizing the costs of the end products. I hope the 
Senate will consider this measure expeditiously.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1010

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DUTY SUSPENSIONS.

       (a) In General.--The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
     United States is amended--
       (1) in subheading 2906.11.00 (relating to dl menthol), by 
     striking ``2.1%'' and inserting ``Free''; and
       (2) in subheading 2906.21.00 (relating to benzyl alcohol), 
     by striking ``5.9%'' and inserting ``Free''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The Amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for 
     consumption, on or after the date that is 15 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.

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