[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12051-S12052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORT OF FAST-TRACK REAUTHORIZATION

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I would like to voice my support for 
the pending fast-track reauthorization legislation. As chairman of the 
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I would like 
to begin by stressing the importance of fast track to U.S. agriculture. 
In 1996, agricultural exports reached a record $60 billion, but import 
barriers, export subsidies, and state trading enterprises continue to 
distort world commodity markets. These distortions put America's 
farmers and agribusiness operators at a disadvantage. We must reduce 
these trade barriers and allow our industry to freely supply the 
world's markets.
  I ask that a letter in support of fast track from all living 
Secretaries of Agriculture, dating from President Kennedy's 
administration, be printed in the Record.
  Last year, my State of Indiana exported goods totaling $12.1 billion 
and these exports directly supported 66,000 Hoosier jobs. Current 
estimates indicate Indiana will achieve a record $13 billion in exports 
this year. Indiana's exports grew by an extraordinary 75 percent 
between 1992 and 1996. Since 1993, exports by Indianapolis firms 
increased 53 percent, South Bend's exports are up by 175 percent and 
Muncie's export growth leapt 114 percent. Therre Haute firms saw their 
exports rise 277 percent, the second highest rate of increase in the 
Nation. Indiana was the eighth largest agricultural exporter in 1996 
with over $2 billion in exports. Because export related jobs pay on 
average more than nonexport related jobs, it is easy to conclude that 
exporting is a vital component to Indiana's robust economy.
  The United States must continue to be the leader in knocking down 
tariff and nontariff trade barriers. This bill is critical to advancing 
trade liberalization and opening markets for all sectors. Approving 
fast track is the first step in achieving these goals.
  Mr. President, I ask that a letter from President Clinton regarding a 
proposed congressional oversight group be inserted in the Record. I 
agree with the President that more can be done regarding strengthening 
the current congressional advisory group. Specifically, for each new 
trade negotiation the administration would consult with and update a 
specific congressional oversight group for that particular round of 
negotiations. The group would provide advice to the U.S. Trade 
Representative and be charged with general oversight. Second, the U.S. 
Trade Representative would work with congressional leaders, within 60 
days of enactment, to develop guidelines for interaction between 
Congress and the administration on trade negotiations. The guidelines 
would address such issues as the timing of written and oral briefings 
regarding U.S. objectives, the status of the negotiations, the role of 
the group during actual negotiations, and access to information 
obtained during negotiations. The United States must be well prepared 
for the next round of World Trade Organization talks on agriculture in 
1999 and the establishment of a congressional oversight group would be 
a positive beginning for this process.
  Since 1974, Congress has granted every President fast-track 
negotiating authority. America's economic future increasingly lies with 
our ability to sell our goods and services around the globe. Without 
fast track, the United States will be sidelined in future trade 
negotiations. Since the creation of the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade [GATT] in 1947, the United States has been the leader in 
knocking down trade barriers and opening up markets. As we prepare to 
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the GATT, the United States can 
either be engaged and play an active role in further trade 
liberalization or allow our competitors to stake claim to a larger 
portion of world markets.
  The letters follow:
                                                 November 3, 1997.
     Hon. Richard Lugar,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, 
         U.S. Senate, Washington, DC

     Hon. Tom Harkin,
     Ranking member, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and 
         Forestry, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC

     Hon. Bob Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC

     Hon. Charles Stenholm,
     Ranking member, Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC

       Dear Gentlemen: The U.S. food and agricultural system is 
     one of the nation's greatest success stories. American 
     agriculture competitively produces, handles, processes, 
     services, trades and transports food and fiber that the world 
     wants to buy. Agricultural trade has contributed 
     significantly to U.S. farm income, created jobs and 
     strengthened American economic and political interests. For 
     those reasons, agricultural trade has been a top priority for 
     every administration in recent memory.
       Having served as the Secretaries of Agriculture to 
     Presidents of both political parties, we have witnessed how 
     U.S. agriculture has benefited from trade liberalization made 
     possible by previous fast-track authorities. With the 
     implementation of NAFTA and GATT, U.S. agricultural exports 
     surged another $20 billion in value, hitting an all-time high 
     of $60.3 billion in 1996. U.S. agriculture also has enjoyed a 
     consistent trade surplus, which last year climbed to $27 
     billion.
       Our food and agricultural system now is poised to make 
     additional export gains from upcoming trade negotiations. 
     Many developing countries are experiencing economic growth 
     which means rising incomes for their citizens. Food demand is 
     expanding as people upgrade their diets. These consumers will 
     need to rely to a greater degree than ever on world markets, 
     but there is no guarantee that agricultural products grown in 
     the United States may reach them. To assure that, we need to 
     make additional progress lowering trade barriers, eliminating 
     unfair trading practices and constraining domestic subsidies 
     that distort trade.
       Fast track is the key to unlocking those opportunities. It 
     is the avenue for our negotiators to level the playing field 
     for U.S. farmers and processors to compete. The authorities 
     it conveys can and should be used to help resolve outstanding 
     trade disputes and strengthen the rules of international 
     commerce. Moreover, it should be used as it was in the past--
     to exercise U.S. leadership in trade.
       American agriculture needs to be at the table for the 199 
     agriculture talks in the World Trade Organization to continue 
     the progress made in the Uruguay Round. In addition, we need 
     to be active in upcoming bilateral negotiations with 
     countries like Chile and for the regional Free Trade 
     Agreement of the Americas and the Asia Pacific Economic 
     Cooperation talks.
       Very simply, fast track is critical to American agriculture 
     being able to compete and prosper in the years ahead. That is 
     why more than 60 agricultural organizations have committed 
     themselves to work for fast track, and why we as former 
     Secretaries of Agriculture support them in their effort.
       We urge you to do what you can to assure prompt passage of 
     this legislation.
           Sincerely,
         Orville Freeman, Secretary of Agriculture, Kennedy and 
           Johnson Administrations; Earl L. Butz, Secretary of 
           Agriculture, Nixon and Ford Administrations; John R. 
           Block, Secretary of Agriculture, Reagan Administration; 
           Clayton Yeutter, Secretary of Agriculture, Bush 
           Administration; Clifford Hardin, Secretary of 
           Agriculture, Nixon Administration; Bob Bergland, 
           Secretary of Agriculture, Carter Administration; 
           Richard E. Lyng, Secretary of Agriculture, Reagan 
           Administration; Mike Espy, Clinton Administration.
                                  ____



                                              The White House,

                                      Washington, November 5, 1997
     Hon. Richard G. Lugar,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, 
         U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for taking the time to share 
     your ideas with me about advancing fast track legislation. 
     Your perspectives were, as always, welcome and useful.
       As you know, I am committed to ensuring close Congressional 
     involvement both in the formulation and implementation of our 
     trade agreements. Appropriately, the Senate and House fast 
     track bills both provide for extensive Congressional 
     participation.
       I was intrigued by the idea of establishing an oversight 
     mechanism for trade negotiations similar to the NATO 
     Observers Group.

[[Page S12052]]

     I have since looked into this idea and want to draw your 
     attention to a structure that has been in place for a while 
     that is quite similar to the NATO group. In 1974, Congress 
     established the Congressional Advisers for Trade Policy and 
     Negotiations, a trade policy and negotiations oversight body 
     that remains in place today. This is a bipartisan group of 
     official Congressional advisers, designated by the 
     Leadership, that is accredited to our trade delegations and 
     kept informed on matters affecting trade policy, including 
     ongoing negotiations. I am including with this letter a 
     summary of how the procedure works.
       I am fully committed to ensuring that the Congressional 
     trade advisor system works effectively to ensure that 
     Congress is both fully informed and consulted as we develop 
     and implement U.S. trade policy. I am convinced that the 
     Administration benefits significantly when Congress plays an 
     active and continuing role in formulating our trade policies 
     and objectives. For that reason, the Administration bill and 
     both the Senate and House bills, which I support, include 
     specific language designed to enhance the effectiveness of 
     the Congressional trade adviser system.
       While the bills pending in the House and Senate seek to 
     reinvigorate the Congressional Advisers mechanism, I believe 
     that more can be done. Therefore, I would propose the 
     inclusion of an additional title in the fast track bill 
     entitled ``Congressional Oversight Groups'' that would:
       a. Establish for each trade negotiation that the 
     Administration notifies to the Congress under fast track, a 
     specific ``Congressional Oversight Group'' for that 
     negotiation. The group would be selected by the leadership 
     from among the existing congressional trade advisers, and 
     would be tasked with oversight of, and providing advice to 
     the Trade Representative regarding, the negotiation.
       b. Instruct the Trade Representative to work with the 
     Senate and House leadership to develop, within 60 days of 
     enactment, guidelines for interaction between the 
     Administration and Congressional Oversight Groups. The 
     guidelines would be structured to ensure a useful and timely 
     flow of information between the Administration and the 
     Congressional Oversight Group, including at an early stage 
     between the Oversight Group and the Trade Representative to 
     discuss the Administration's objectives and the Group's 
     views.
       I hope that you will give serious consideration to this 
     proposal. I would welcome any thoughts that you and other 
     Members may have.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Clinton.

                          ____________________