[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1332]]
SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5672) making 
     appropriations for Science, the Departments of State, 
     Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of 
Representative Brown's amendment to increase funding for the 
International Trade Administration's Office of China Compliance (OCC) 
by $3 million in FY 2007. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to 
speak, although I wish the circumstances of my appearance here were 
different. Simply put, full and effective enforcement of our trade laws 
is not just the right thing to do; it has become an absolute imperative 
as we see the growing challenges facing American manufacturers. Will 
Rogers used to say, ``Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run 
over if you just sit there.'' Funding for the Office of China 
Compliance must be increased to reflect the seriousness of this issue 
to American workers and the economy as a whole.
  I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues to a recent 
report on NPR's Marketplace that highlighted an ongoing practice by 
China's textile industry called ``transshipment.'' Last year, the USTR 
and Chinese Commerce Minister agreed to a 3-year pact limiting China's 
exports of 34 textile and apparel products to the United States. We now 
find out that China had no intention of sticking to its end of this 
bargain. Not 8 months after signing the agreement, China has been 
warned by Indonesia for its continued manipulation of textile exports, 
which are sent into Indonesia, slapped with a ``Made in Indonesia'' 
label, and shipped back to China before making their way into the 
United States, at levels far greater than what both countries agreed 
upon. These garments are not sent to Indonesia for anything other than 
this valuable label. According to Indonesia's Minister of Industry, 
Chinese transshipments through Indonesia alone amounted to an estimated 
$6 billion in 2005. Thus far in 2006, these illegal shipments are up 79 
percent over last year. It is crucial that we stand up against these 
unscrupulous Chinese trade practices and invest in our efforts to 
monitor those who skirt international trade laws.
  China continues to violate international trade laws, basic human 
rights, and its World Trade Organization commitments. While we watch 
imports from China streaming into our ports and shipping hubs, we are 
left with few options to defend our Nation's manufacturing industries 
and local jobs. However, we have trade remedies to mitigate this. It is 
time for the Bush administration to use the funds we are providing and 
enforce our trade laws. I am offended by the lack of action by this 
administration with the tools it has had available. We know that goods 
from China are coming into this country illegally, many of which were 
made with the help of government subsidies. We know that those imports 
are hurting U.S. companies and workers. We know that China's disregard 
for international trade laws only encourages more companies to ship 
their jobs overseas. This administration must enforce our laws relative 
to China.
  Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. 
Increased funding for the Office of China Compliance will increase our 
ability to monitor Chinese trade and help to stem the tide of illegal 
imports. American workers and firms are depending on us to consider the 
real impact of illegal Chinese trade: more outsourcing of American jobs 
and a weakened American economy. Once again, I thank the gentleman for 
the opportunity to speak today, and I urge my colleagues to support 
this critical amendment.

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