[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3751-S3752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 22--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS 
REGARDING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND URGING FAIR AND EXPEDITIOUS REVIEW 
BY INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRIBUNALS TO ENSURE A COMPETITIVE NORTH AMERICAN 
                       MARKET FOR SOFTWOOD LUMBER

  Mr. NICKLES (for himself, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. 
Hagel, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Roberts) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Finance.

                            S. Con. Res. 22

       Whereas the United States and Canada have, since 1989, 
     worked to eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers to trade;
       Whereas free trade has greatly benefitted the United States 
     and Canadian economies;
       Whereas the U.S. International Trade Commission only found 
     the potential for a Threat of Injury (as opposed to actual 
     injury) to domestic lumber producers but the Department of 
     Commerce imposed a 27 percent duty on U.S. lumber consumers;
       Whereas trade restrictions on Canadian lumber exported to 
     the U.S. market have been an exception to the general rule of 
     bilateral free trade;

[[Page S3752]]

       Whereas the legitimate interests of consumers are often 
     overlooked in trade disputes;
       Whereas the availability of affordable housing is important 
     to American home buyers and the need for the availability of 
     such housing, particularly in metropolitan cities across 
     America, is growing faster than it can be met;
       Whereas imposition of special duties on U.S. consumers of 
     softwood lumber, essential for construction of on-site and 
     manufactured homes, jeopardizes housing affordability;
       Whereas the United States has agreed to abide by dispute 
     settlement procedures in the World Trade Organization and the 
     North American Free Trade Agreement, providing for 
     international review of national remedy actions; and,
       Whereas the World Trade Organization and North American 
     Free Trade Agreement dispute panels are reviewing findings by 
     the ITC: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), that it is the sense of the Congress that--
       (1) The Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade 
     Representative should work to assure that no delays occur in 
     resolving the current disputes before the NAFTA and WTO 
     panels, supporting a fair and expeditious review;
       (2) U.S. anti-dumping and countervail law is a rules-based 
     system that should proceed to conclusion in WTO and NAFTA 
     trade panels;
       (3) The President should continue discussions with the 
     Government of Canada to promote open trade between the United 
     States and Canada on softwood lumber free of trade restraints 
     that harm consumers;
       (4) The President should consult with all stakeholders, 
     including consumers of lumber products in future discussions 
     regarding any terms of trade in softwood lumber between the 
     United States and Canada.

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