[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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