[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES TO INDUSTRY SECTOR 
                          ADVISORY COMMITTEES

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep 
disappointment at the administration's decision to appeal the Federal 
District Court decision that requires the appointment of environmental 
representatives to the advisory committees, the ISACs, that advise the 
Commerce Department and USTR on trade policy with respect to forest 
products.
  At the recent WTO meeting in Seattle, President Clinton reminded all 
of us of the importance of making the trade policy process more open 
and transparent. I share the view that incorporating environmental and 
labor concerns into our trade policy is a necessary element in ensuring 
confidence in the global trading system. The need for openness and 
transparency is not only for international negotiations and dispute 
resolution, but also for the establishment of trade policy here at 
home. Indeed, the Clinton administration has been the principal 
advocate of this.
  It is, therefore, surprising and disappointing that the 
administration seems reluctant to bring more openness and transparency 
into its own trade policy advisory committees. Specifically, in the 
case of the administration's proposals to reduce or eliminate tariffs 
on forest products (a goal that I share), environmental groups have 
raised legitimate issues about the impact on conservation. This should 
be part of our domestic debate.
  I understand that enhancing the role of environmental and other 
groups in this advisory process raises some concerns at USTR and the 
Commerce Department. We don't want to make the process inefficient, and 
we must continue to protect confidential information. But, to my mind, 
we can increase openness and transparency without compromising 
efficiency or confidentiality.
  I call on the administration to reconsider its policy and take the 
necessary measures to incorporate fully those who are trying to express 
legitimate environmental concerns.
  Finally, let me be clear. If the decision by the Western District of 
Washington is overturned on appeal, I will introduce legislation 
mandating the appointment of representatives of the environmental 
community to these two advisory committees.
  At this critical time when concerns over globalization threaten the 
consensus for expanding global trade, we must increase public 
confidence in government. That means more openness and transparency, 
not less.

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