[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4427-S4428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 931. A bill to reduce temporarily the duty on certain articles of 
natural cork; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
address the difference between the import tariff placed on unfinished 
cork and refined cork. Unfinished cork has a higher import tariff than 
already-refined cork--this problem is in need of a resolution.
  Unfinished cork is the principal element of a fishing pole's grip and 
must be imported as it is not available domestically. Many fishing rod 
companies reside in Montana, such as the R.L. Winston Rod Company of 
Twin Bridges. I am aware that fishing rod manufacturers, particularly 
fly-fishing rod manufacturers, are under pressure to increase the price 
of their equipment because of prohibitively high tariff on the import 
of unfinished cork.

[[Page S4428]]

While the tariff on already-finished cork is 6 percent, unfinished cork 
is subject to a 14 percent tariff. It just does not make good sense to 
charge a significantly higher levy on an unfinished product that is 
imported and then handcrafted by American workers.
  This inconsistency must end by leveling the difference between the 
two tariffs. The reduction will enable American workers to continue 
manufacturing custom-made fishing rod grips, keep the price of all 
fishing poles down, and bring a measure of common sense to this portion 
of our tariff law. Once resolved, domestic businesses will be able to 
finish fly rods here, leading to an increasingly competitive place in 
the market for American goods. With this change Montana's small 
businesses will benefit as will our overall economy in the state.
  I am pleased that some of my colleagues in the House have decided to 
assist in this effort. I truly appreciate the work of Representative 
Simmons of Connecticut, who is leading this legislation in the House. 
He has already signed on 17 co-sponsors to this legislation at last 
count. His assistance has been invaluable, and I look forward to 
working with him as this legislation moves forward.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 931

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CERTAIN ARTICLES OF NATURAL CORK.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 of the 
     Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by 
     inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading:

       

``    9902.45.03    Articles of       6%                No change         No change         On or before 12/
                     natural cork                                                            31/2008          ''
                     (provided for                                                                             .
                     in subheading
                     4503.90.60)....

       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     applies with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from 
     warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______