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

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 should terminate on a specified date, with no extension or further quota agreement; and (2) the President should consult with appropriate stakeholders and continue discussions with the Government of Canada to promote open trade of softwood lumber between Canada and the United States.

[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 252 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 252

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 16, 2000

Mr. Kolbe (for himself, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Blunt, Mrs. Kelly, 
 Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Foley, Mr. Nussle, Mr. Ramstad, 
    Mr. Graham, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Leach, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Cook, Mr. 
  Kleczka, Mrs. Thurman, Ms. Pryce of Ohio, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Neal of 
Massachusetts, Mr. Clay, Mr. Green of Texas, Mrs. Meek of Florida, Mr. 
     Moran of Virginia, Mrs. Clayton, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Cardin, Mr. 
Knollenberg, Mr. Latham, Mr. Houghton, Mr. Price of North Carolina, and 
 Mr. Boswell) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


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

Whereas the United States and Canada have, since 1989, 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 18 years;
Whereas on May 29, 1996, the United States and Canada entered into an agreement 
        to temporarily resolve the dispute;
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 House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 
        1996 should terminate on April 1, 2001, with no extension or 
        further quota agreement;
            (2) the President should continue discussions with the 
        Government of Canada to promote open and competitive trade 
        between the United States and Canada of softwood lumber; and
            (3) the President should consult with all stakeholders, 
        including consumers of softwood lumber products, in future 
        discussions regarding the open trade of softwood lumber between 
        the United States and Canada.
                                 <all>