[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H5562-H5564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA NUCLEAR
COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2449) to authorize the President to extend the term of the
Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States
of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning Civil
Uses of Nuclear Energy for a period not to exceed March 19, 2016.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2449
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF
KOREA NUCLEAR COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
The President is authorized to extend the term of the
Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Republic
of Korea Concerning Civil Uses of Nuclear Energy for a period
not to exceed March 19, 2016, notwithstanding any other
provision of law.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to include any extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, over the past six decades, the United States and South
Korea have built a strong and enduring alliance, which is the
cornerstone of peace, the cornerstone of security in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Ever since the dark days of the Korean war, our two nations have
stood side by side to meet some of today's most pressing challenges.
The alliance between our two countries is a model for global
partnership in every field, whether it's in the economic field or
political or concerning security.
And earlier this year, my good friend, the ranking member, and I led
a bipartisan delegation to South Korea to reaffirm our Nation's
steadfast commitment to the good people of South Korea. It was during
this visit that we witnessed the tremendous sacrifice that South
Koreans made in order to live in freedom.
The ranking member and I stood by the wreckage of the naval ship
Cheonan, paying our respects to the 46 South Korean sailors who
perished as a result of the unprovoked North Korean attack, a poignant
reminder of the constant threat that our two nations face.
When Madame Park Geun-hye, the first woman to be elected President of
South Korea, addressed a joint session of Congress, she honored the
deep sacrifice that Americans have made in protecting her beloved
nation. I was pleased to serve on the host committee when she visited
the Congress.
Madam Park and her delegation were warmly received when in southern
California as part of her official visit to the United States.
Today, South Korea is at the forefront of global innovation, with the
world's 13th largest economy; and as a result of the landmark U.S.-
South Korea trade agreement, South Korea is our seventh largest trading
partner.
One of the most important areas of our close economic cooperation is
commerce and, particularly, commerce in nuclear energy. And that is
why, Mr. Speaker, it is so important that the Congress approve this
piece of legislation before us today.
South Korea's nuclear energy sector is extensive. It's critically
important to its economy. Its 23 operating reactors produce one-third
of the nation's electricity. In an effort to secure greater energy
independence, the government plans to double this figure over the next
two decades, with 11 more power plants to be completed.
Much of South Korea's nuclear infrastructure is of American origin,
and U.S. businesses provide millions of dollars' worth of spare parts
and services every year to that nation. That is one of the reasons
expansion of this vital sector will be good for the U.S. economy as
well.
South Korea also plans to become a major nuclear exporter in the
international market. Given the truly global nature of this industry,
American suppliers stand to make considerable gains as well.
For example, in 2009, a consortium of Korean companies was selected
to build four nuclear power reactors in the United Arab Emirates, a
deal worth $20 billion. Of this total, American companies will earn up
to $2 billion for this project alone through sales of equipment and of
services. It is estimated that this one project will support 5,000 jobs
in 17 States.
{time} 1645
The ability of American companies to export to South Korea's nuclear
power sector rests upon our two countries' 40-year-old nuclear
cooperation agreement, which expires on March 19, 2014. The U.S. and
South Korean negotiators are currently negotiating a long-term
extension of this agreement.
But to prevent an unnecessary interruption that would have a major
negative impact on our alliance with South Korea and on U.S. exporters
alike, Ranking Member Engel and I introduced this bipartisan
legislation to extend the existing agreement for 2 years, to March 19,
2016. The State Department is in support of this legislation.
Testifying earlier this year on behalf of an extension, a top State
Department official told the House Foreign Affairs Committee:
An extension would also ensure there is no lapse in our
ongoing civil nuclear cooperation, preserving stability and
predictability in our joint commercial activities.
This bill is a simple extension of the existing agreement--with no
modifications or changes--that will allow negotiators time to focus on
substance instead of the clock.
The Foreign Affairs Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill,
which now has a total of 41 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.
I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation so that it can be
sent to the Senate and then on to the President for his signature and
thereby ensure that the cooperation between our two countries in this
vital area can continue without interruption.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2449, and I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
I'd like to begin by thanking my good friend, the chairman of the
Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, and the ranking member, Eliot
Engel, for their work on this bipartisan legislation.
The current U.S.-South Korea civil nuclear cooperation agreement,
also known as a ``123 agreement,'' allows the U.S. and South Korea to
work together on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. That agreement is set
to expire next year. Because our two countries have not yet completed
negotiations for a new agreement, H.R. 2449 allows a 2-year extension
of the existing agreement to provide more time for the two sides to
come to an agreement.
An extension would help ensure that there's no lapse in our ongoing
civil nuclear cooperation, preserving stability and predictability in
our joint commercial activities. South Korea is a vital economic and
security partner of the United States, and passing this bill would help
ensure that we maintain the strongest possible relationship with our
trusted ally.
[[Page H5563]]
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2449 enjoys wide bipartisan support. I urge my
colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), chairman emeritus of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, who currently chairs the Subcommittee on the Middle East and
North Africa.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our gracious chairman for the
time.
I rise in full support of H.R. 2449, an important bipartisan bill
that will extend the U.S.-South Korea civilian nuclear energy agreement
for another 2 years.
South Korea is indeed an important ally of the United States, and our
bilateral relationship is a cornerstone of America's national security
interests in Asia. By passing this stopgap measure, Mr. Speaker, we
will avoid the expiration of the original 40-year agreement and allow
the United States and South Korea to continue to negotiate on a renewed
agreement in good faith.
If we do not pass this bill, the current agreement will expire early
next year. This would not only cause damage to the U.S.-South Korea
relationship, but it will also harm the United States manufacturers who
provide parts and services to South Korea's energy industry and will
negatively impact the technological, safety, and nonproliferation
efforts of both of our countries in the civilian nuclear energy sector.
Mr. Speaker, South Korea has become a major user of domestic nuclear
power, with the partnership of American technology. Nuclear power
provides about one-third of all of South Korea's electricity, and South
Korea is looking to even further expand that percentage. They are
looking to the United States and American businesses to help them
achieve their goals.
South Korea's partnership with America for civilian nuclear projects
already has resulted in billions of dollars for our economy and has
created thousands of jobs. Continued cooperation with South Korea would
bring more revenue to America and create much-needed jobs for
Americans. But this can only happen, Mr. Speaker, if our two countries
can negotiate a long-term agreement.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. ROYCE. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the chairman.
They cannot negotiate this when they're constantly watching the
clock, which I should have done as well. Passing this bill will give
them the much-needed time to focus on the negotiations and finally come
to a mutually beneficial agreement.
So I urge my colleagues to support this strong bipartisan and much-
needed bill that will help the U.S. economy, U.S. jobs, and strengthen
the alliance between the United States and our key trading partner in
South Korea.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia
and the Pacific.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
I rise today as a strong supporter and cosponsor of H.R. 2449,
legislation to extend for 2 additional years the existing U.S.-South
Korea civilian nuclear energy agreement.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, it's my
strong belief that passage of this legislation is in the national
interest of the United States and also in the vital interest of the
U.S.-South Korea alliance.
Earlier this year, we held a hearing in our subcommittee to examine
the facts behind the current nuclear energy agreement with South Korea
and why it needs to be extended. Simply put, the agreement with South
Korea strengthens America's nonproliferation priorities, it helps to
create American jobs in the energy sector, and it's an important symbol
of our long friendship with South Korea.
I want to commend my colleague from California (Mr. Royce), the
chairman of the full committee, and also the ranking member of the
committee from New York, Eliot Engel, for introducing this bipartisan
legislation.
America's friendship with South Korea is stronger today than probably
at any other moment in our history. Forged on the cold, dark
battlefields of the Korean war, this year's 60th anniversary of the
U.S.-South Korea alliance marks a significant milestone in our ever-
growing relationship. There is no doubt it has indeed become the
cornerstone of peace and security in East Asia. In fact, it is the
enduring, relevant, and forward-looking qualities of our alliance that
makes today's consideration of this bill, H.R. 2449, so important.
Today in South Korea, a once war-torn nation has become a world-class
economy and leader in high-tech innovation. Its commitment to
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in a region where these
ideals are oftentimes hard to come by is a testament to the trust we
have in our ally and friend, South Korea.
I once again thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for
putting this particular legislation together. I would like to join them
in urging my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. MEEKS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I think we have one final Member who wishes
to speak on this. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Collins), a member of the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and the Oversight
Committees.
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate you yielding the
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2449, I think the
merits of which you have spoken of. I also want to rise and discuss the
relationship with the Republic of Korea.
Since the 1950s, the Republic of Korea has been a strong ally of the
United States and an economic leader in the Pacific region. South Korea
is an example of how the free market brings about an increased quality
of life.
The Republic of Korea is Asia's fourth largest economy and the
world's 12th largest economy. In the 1960s, South Korea was on par with
levels of poverty seen in Africa. Fast forward to 2004, when South
Korea joined the trillion-dollar club of world economies--in stark
contrast to its neighbor to the north. North Korea is one of the most
oppressive regimes in the world.
The U.S.-South Korea alliance is one that shows the world the promise
of democracy and free enterprise. Today, we recognize just one
partnership between our nations--the civilian nuclear energy program.
This agreement maintains a safe, secure nuclear program in a very
turbulent international environment.
I'm grateful to be an original cosponsor of this legislation.
Congress needs to continue to show how much it values our Nation's
relationship with South Korea, and a positive vote on this agreement
will be a strong step in that regard.
When you look at the area, you see the strong light of freedom in
South Korea tarnished only by the darkness of the tyranny in North
Korea. That's why we stand with South Korea. That's why this agreement
is important.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
In closing, let me again thank the chair and the ranking member for
their hard work. I listened to the chair talk about his trip and what
he and the ranking member observed, as well as the information they
brought back to the subcommittee and the committee. It is so
tremendously important. It highlights the importance of our great ally,
South Korea.
We recently passed a trade agreement with South Korea because we
worked together and were able to create jobs through that trade
agreement, not only in South Korea, but here in America. This is an
example of what can be accomplished when you work together and try to
make sure there's no lapse in our ongoing civil nuclear cooperation. It
shows that we can work collectively to make sure individuals use
nuclear forces for the good of mankind and make sure that there is
power in their communities.
I'm delighted today to join in a strong bipartisan manner to support
H.R. 2449. I ask all of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 2449,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H5564]]
I just want to stand in solidarity with the remarks of Mr. Meeks of
New York. We're both in complete agreement here, as we've discussed in
the past, about how vital this relationship is with South Korea. It is
one that, for decades, we've stood side-by-side as South Korea and the
United States have tried to promote policies in that region in defense
of freedom, to support democracy, to support human rights, and, at the
same time, to support economic growth. I think it is just as important
that we stand together to extend the U.S.-South Korea civilian nuclear
energy agreement.
So I would urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
I think it is critical not only to our friend and ally, but I would
say, without this bill, tens of thousands of American workers would be
at a grave disadvantage. This bill extends, without modification, the
existing agreement between the U.S. and South Korea for 2 additional
years so that the current negotiations can continue uninterrupted.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
H.R. 2449, thereby building upon the already strong relationship
between the United States and South Korea by extending the current
U.S.-Korea Civil Nuclear Agreement for another two years.
Mr. Speaker, Korea and the United States have a long and storied
alliance stretching back sixty years, with many shared political and
cultural values. Our current nuclear agreement is set to expire in
2014. Extending it is a mutually beneficial proposition, as past
nuclear agreements with Korea have demonstrated. South Korea is one of
the largest consumers of nuclear energy in the world, and U.S.
companies export billions of dollars worth of equipment to Korea each
year, while Korea uses nuclear power to increase its own energy
independence. H.R. 2449 represents a new chapter in energy partnership
between the U.S. and Korea and I look forward to its passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2449.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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