[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN:
  S. 410. A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory 
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of 
Ukraine; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, the recent ``Orange Revolution'' in 
Ukraine marked a huge victory for the advancement of democracy in the 
world. The Ukrainian people made clear that they would not stand idle 
as a corrupt regime sought to deny them their democratic rights. Now 
that the people of Ukraine have seized control of their destiny, the 
United States must stand ready to assist them as they do the hard work 
of consolidating democracy. The Jackson-Vanik amendment is, with 
respect to Ukraine, now anachronistic and inappropriate. Therefore, I 
am pleased to introduce legislation that would terminate it.
  The bill would authorize the President to terminate the application 
of Jackson-Vanik, Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, to Ukraine. 
Ukraine would then be eligible to receive permanent normal trade 
relations (PNTR) tariff status in its trade with the United States. I 
am pleased to note that Representatives Hyde and Lantos will be 
introducing an identical bill in the House.
  Beyond any benefits to our bilateral trading relationship, lifting 
Jackson-Vanik for Ukraine constitutes an important symbol of Ukraine's 
new democracy and its relationship with the United States. I led a 
delegation of four Senators and six representatives to Kiev last week; 
where we met with President Yuschenko, Prime Minister Tymoshenko, and 
students who led protests in Independence Square. I was struck by the 
great enthusiasm for democracy and freedom that has taken hold in 
Ukraine, and I wish the new leaders all the best a they begin the 
challenge of governing. I pledged to them that I would work toward the 
lifting of Jackson-Vanik on Ukraine, and today I am happy to take the 
first step toward that end.
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