Text: Senators Urge Vote on PNTR before July 4th recess
(Letter calls for defeat of all amendments)In a letter to the Senate Majority and Minority leaders dated June 6, ten U.S. senators urged passage of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China before the July 4th recess of Congress.
The letter emphasized the importance of avoiding a conference, and called for the defeat of all amendments.
The signers anticipate benefits to the United States from opening the large Chinese market and holding China accountable to international trade rules.
Following is the text:
(begin text)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510June 6, 2000
The Honorable Trent Lott
Majority Leader, United States Senate
S-230 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Thomas A. Daschle
Minority Leader, United States Senate
S-221 U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20510Dear Leaders:
We are writing to urge you to bring legislation granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to China to the floor prior to the July 4th recess. It is important that we maintain the momentum that accompanied the passage of this legislation in the House.
In view of the unique legislative situation and the importance of avoiding a conference, we will work with the managers of the bill to defeat all amendments. While we recognize the importance of Senate prerogatives and the right of each Member to offer amendments, this legislation merits a bipartisan effort to pass the bill as it has been sent to us from the House.
PNTR will give U.S. businesses and workers an opportunity to participate in the world's fastest growing economy and ensure that the United States reaps the benefits that were negotiated last fall in the U.S.-China World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession agreement. Access to China's enormous population will help sustain American economic growth. In addition, having China in the WTO will force it to play by the rules of the international trade system.
Our nation also must be committed to vigorous oversight and enforcement of the agreement to ensure that China fulfills its commitments. We must also commence initiatives to help U.S. workers who are adversely affected by the globalization of the world's economy.
Please know that we stand ready to assist you in this effort in any way.
Sincerely,
(signed by)
Bob Graham (Democrat of Florida)
Blanche Lincoln (Democrat of Arkansas)
Tim Johnson (Democrat of South Dakota)
Joesph Lieberman (Democrat of Connecticut)
Evan Bayh (Democrat of Indiana)
Charles Robb (Democrat of Virginia)
John Breaux (Democrat of Louisiana)
Mary Landrieu (Democrat of Louisiana)
Max Cleland (Democrat of Georgia)
Robert Kerrey (Democrat of Nebraska)(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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