[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 4 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 4

 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding housing affordability and 
   ensuring a competitive North American market for softwood lumber.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 29, 2001

 Mr. Nickles (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Graham, Mr. 
 Hagel, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding housing affordability and 
   ensuring a competitive North American market for softwood lumber.

Whereas since 1989 the United States and Canada have worked to reduce tariff and 
        nontariff barriers to trade;
Whereas free trade has greatly benefited the United States and Canadian 
        economies;
Whereas the United States and Canada have been engaged in an ongoing dispute 
        over trade in softwood lumber for 19 years;
Whereas on May 29, 1996, the United States and Canada entered into an agreement 
        to temporarily resolve the dispute by limiting Canadian exports of 
        softwood lumber to the United States;
  Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 does not 
        promote open trade;
Whereas the scope of the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 
        has been expanded, leading to uncertainty for importers, distributors, 
        retailers, and purchasers of softwood lumber products;
Whereas the availability of affordable housing is important to the American 
        homebuyer;
Whereas lumber price volatility jeopardizes housing affordability; and
Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 will expire 
        on April 1, 2001: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 
        1996 should terminate on April 1, 2001, with no extension or 
        additional quota agreement, and trade restrictions on lumber 
        after the agreement expires should not be renegotiated;
            (2) the President should continue to work with the 
        Government of Canada to promote open and competitive trade 
        between the United States and Canada on softwood lumber; and
            (3) the President should consult with consumers of softwood 
        lumber products in future discussions regarding the open trade 
        of softwood lumber between the United States and Canada.
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