[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 2 (Monday, January 13, 1997)]
[Page 19]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting Legislation on the Appointment of 
the United States Trade Representative

January 8, 1997

To the Congress of the United States:

    I am pleased to transmit herewith for your immediate consideration 
and enactment legislation to provide a waiver from certain provisions 
relating to the appointment of the United States Trade Representative.
    This draft bill would authorize the President, acting by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Charlene Barshefsky as 
the United States Trade Representative, notwithstanding any limitations 
imposed by certain provisions of law. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
1995 amended the provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding the 
appointment of the United States Trade Representative and the Deputy 
United States Trade Representatives by imposing certain limitations on 
their appointment. These limitations only became effective with respect 
to the appointment of the United States Trade Representative and Deputy 
United States Trade Representatives on January 1, 1996, and do not apply 
to individuals who were serving in one of those positions on that date 
and continue to serve in them. Because Charlene Barshefsky was appointed 
Deputy United States Trade Representative on May 28, 1993, and has 
continued to serve in that position since then, the limitations in the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act, which became effective on January 1, 1996, do 
not apply to her in her capacity as Deputy United States Trade 
Representative and it is appropriate that they not apply to her if she 
is appointed to be the United States Trade Representative.
    I have today nominated Charlene Barshefsky to be the next United 
States Trade Representative. She has done an outstanding job as Deputy 
United States Trade Representative since 1993 and as Acting United 
States Trade Representative for the last 9 months. I am confident she 
will make an excellent United States Trade Representative. I urge the 
Congress to take prompt and favorable action on this legislation.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
January 8, 1997.