[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12980-12981]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           CHINA PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS LEGISLATION

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I would like to spend a few moments 
talking about the issue of PNTR, Permanent Normal Trade Relations, with 
China. Last month, the House passed H.R. 4444. That bill authorizes 
PNTR for China once the multilateral protocol negotiations are 
completed and the WTO General Council approves China's accession. The 
bill includes a solid package of provisions that establishes a 
framework for monitoring progress and developments in China in the 
human rights area. It also provides for enhanced monitoring of China's 
compliance with its trade commitments.
  Now, it is our turn in the Senate to act. We have two challenges. 
First, we need to debate the bill now, not later. And, second, we need 
to pass the bill without amendment. I call on the Majority Leader to 
set a date certain in July to start this process.
  Extending permanent normal trade relations status to China. 
Regularizing our economic and trade relationship with China. Bringing 
China into the global trade community. Helping the development of a 
middle class in China. Developing an environment between our two 
countries where we can productively engage China in significant 
security, regional, and global discussions. These are not Democratic 
issues. These are not Republican issues. These are national issues. 
Passage of PNTR is a first step, and it is critical to America's 
national economic and security interests.
  Support in the Senate is strong. I believe there will be an 
overwhelming vote in favor of final passage. Republicans and Democrats. 
Small states and large. East and West. North and South. Conservative 
and liberal. Most of us

[[Page 12981]]

recognize how important this is to our country, to the region, and to 
the world.
  That is why I will continue to urge the Majority Leader to set a firm 
date to bring the PNTR bill to the floor so we can move this 
legislation. I ask my colleagues, Republican, as well as Democrat, to 
join me in delivering that message to the Majority Leader.
  Once it comes to the floor, there will likely be a plethora of 
amendments, some germane and others non-germane. The Senate has its own 
rights and prerogatives. I will always defend the right of Senators to 
offer amendments to a bill. But, I am concerned that amendments in the 
Senate, which would force the bill into a conference with the House, 
would lead to delaying, and perhaps jeopardizing, final passage of this 
landmark legislation. We cannot afford such a development.
  H.R. 4444 is a very balanced bill. It deals with the major concerns 
relative to China's entry into the global trading system. Therefore, 
along with many of my colleagues, I have made a commitment to oppose 
any amendment to H.R. 4444, no matter how meritorious the amendment 
might be on its own terms. Prompt passage and enactment of this bill 
should be a top bipartisan priority. I urge all my colleagues to join 
me in making the commitment to oppose any attempt to amend this 
legislation.
  H.R. 4444 ensures that future U.S. administrations will closely 
monitor China's compliance with its WTO obligations and with other 
trade agreements made with the United States. It will make the 
administration in the future act promptly in the case of damaging 
import surges. It provides for a vigorous monitoring of human rights, 
worker rights, and the import of goods produced by forced or prison 
labor. H.R. 4444 also provides for technical assistance to help develop 
the rule of law in China. It enhances the ability of U.S. government 
radios to broadcast into China. And it states the sense of Congress 
regarding Taiwan's prompt admission to the WTO.
  To repeat, extending PNTR to China is vitally important to America's 
economic and strategic interests. Our top priority should be a bill 
approved by the Senate identical to H.R. 4444 so that it can 
immediately be sent to the President for signature. I hope we complete 
action rapidly in July.

                          ____________________