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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 248 Introduced in House (IH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 248

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
States should initiate preparatory work to begin negotiations to enter 
               into a free trade agreement with Tunisia.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2015

 Mr. Paulsen submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
States should initiate preparatory work to begin negotiations to enter 
               into a free trade agreement with Tunisia.

Whereas the Arab Spring has swept through Northern Africa and the Middle East, 
        creating the greatest opportunity in more than a generation for true 
        democratic development in the region;
Whereas the resulting upheaval also creates enormous potential for instability, 
        violence, and power vacuums that could be exploited by anti-democratic 
        or extremist forces;
Whereas a key influence that drove protests came from Mohamed Bouazizi, a street 
        vendor who set himself on fire to protest police interference and a lack 
        of economic opportunities;
Whereas Mr. Bouazizi's death in December 2010 became a rallying cry for more 
        democracy and economic freedom in Tunisia;
Whereas demonstrations by the Tunisian people forced President Zine el Abidine 
        Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 14, 2011, after over 23 years of 
        authoritarian rule;
Whereas the political transition became known as the ``Jasmine Revolution'';
Whereas national elections were held on October 23, 2011, to select a 217-seat 
        National Constituent Assembly;
Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised by international 
        election observers;
Whereas 54 percent of eligible voters participated in the election;
Whereas over 11,600 candidates participated in the election;
Whereas disputes over reform priorities, economic crisis, labor unrest, regional 
        tension, and lingering insecurity are continuing challenges;
Whereas Tunisia exhibits a number of unique attributes in its region, such as a 
        relatively small territory, a sizable and well-educated middle class, 
        and a long history of encouraging women's socioeconomic freedoms;
Whereas many view Tunisia as a ``test case'' for democratic transitions in its 
        region;
Whereas damage from the December 2010-January 2011 unrest, political 
        uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring Libya, and economic crisis in Europe 
        have contributed to severe economic difficulties in Tunisia;
Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has carried out attacks in 
        Tunisia and poses an increasing threat to the stability of the nation;
Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary concern for most Tunisians;
Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people are not realized, the 
        potential for anti-democratic or extremist forces to exploit the current 
        instability will only be magnified;
Whereas strong, sustained economic growth and development would provide the 
        necessary resources for Tunisia to build democratic institutions and 
        solidify public support for democratic governance, as well as ensure 
        strong labor, environmental, and human rights protections;
Whereas engagement with Tunisia in preparation for trade negotiations would 
        encourage greater reform, including the protection of intellectual 
        property, and build its capacity to modernize and liberalize its 
        economy, as well as provide maximum leverage to facilitate the 
        implementation of strong labor, environmental, and human rights 
        protections;
Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in the Arab world is in the 
        interest of the United States and would fuel both economic and 
        democratic development throughout the region;
Whereas in 2013, the United States was Tunisia's third largest trading partner;
Whereas United States exports to Tunisia were $850 million and United States 
        imports from Tunisia were $521 million in 2014;
Whereas Tunisia is an important market for United States grain, seeds, and 
        cereal exports;
Whereas Tunisia is an important source of oil, fats and food oils, and textiles 
        for the United States; and
Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the United States should initiate preparatory work to begin 
negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Tunisia.
                                 <all>
```