[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 11 (Monday, January 29, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE 
   REGARDING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND ENSURING A COMPETITIVE NORTH 
                  AMERICAN MARKET FOR SOFTWOOD LUMBER

  Mr. NICKLES (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Graham, Mr. 
Hagel, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance:

                             S. Con. Res. 4

       Whereas since 1989 the United States and Canada have worked 
     to reduce tariff and nontariff barriers to trade;
       Whereas free trade has greatly benefited the United States 
     and Canadian economies;
       Whereas the United States and Canada have been engaged in 
     an ongoing dispute over trade in softwood lumber for 19 
     years;
       Whereas on May 29, 1996, the United States and Canada 
     entered into an agreement to temporarily resolve the dispute 
     by limiting Canadian exports of softwood lumber to the United 
     States;
         Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber 
     Agreement of 1996 does not promote open trade;
       Whereas the scope of the United States-Canada Softwood 
     Lumber Agreement of 1996 has been expanded, leading to 
     uncertainty for importers, distributors, retailers, and 
     purchasers of softwood lumber products;
       Whereas the availability of affordable housing is important 
     to the American homebuyer;
       Whereas lumber price volatility jeopardizes housing 
     affordability; and
       Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement 
     of 1996 will expire on April 1, 2001: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 
     1996 should terminate on April 1, 2001, with no extension or 
     additional quota agreement, and trade restrictions on lumber 
     after the agreement expires should not be renegotiated;
       (2) the President should continue to work with the 
     Government of Canada to promote open and competitive trade 
     between the United States and Canada on softwood lumber; and
       (3) the President should consult with consumers of softwood 
     lumber products in future discussions regarding the open 
     trade of softwood lumber between the United States and 
     Canada.

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