I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3553
To provide for the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade
relations treatment) to the products of the Russian Federation.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DECEMBER 20, 2001
Mr. THOMAS (for himself, Mr. CRANE, and Mr. DREIER) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To provide for the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the products of
the Russian Federation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that the Russian Federation—
(1) has made considerable progress toward re-
specting fundamental human rights consistent with
the objectives of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974;
(2) adopted constitutional protections and stat-
utory and administrative procedures that accord its
citizens the right to emigrate, travel freely, and to
return to the Russian Federation without restriction;
(3) has received normal trade relations treat-
ment since 1992 and has been found to be in full
compliance with the freedom of emigration require-
ments under title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 since
1994;
(4) concluded a bilateral trade agreement with
the United States that entered into force on June
17, 1992;
(5) has made progress toward democratic re-
forms and creating a free market economic system;
(6) has committed itself, including through ex-
changes of letters, to ensuring freedom of religion
and preventing intolerance;
(7) has committed itself, including through ex-
changes of letters, to continuing its efforts to return
religious property to religious organizations in ac-
cordance with existing Russian laws;
(8) has demonstrated a strong desire to build a
friendly and cooperative relationship with the United
States and has been an unwavering ally in the strug-
gle against international terrorism that has taken
place since the attacks against the United States
that occurred on September 11, 2001; and
(9) is in the process of acceding to the World
Trade Organization and although the negotiations
regarding the terms of accession are not finalized
the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (nor-
mal trade relations treatment) to the products of the
Russian Federation will provide positive momentum
for those negotiations.
SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF
THE TRADE ACT OF 1974 TO THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION.
(a) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATIONS AND EXTEN-
SIONS OF NONDISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.—Notwith-
standing any provision of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974
(19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the President may—
(1) determine that such title should no longer
apply to the Russian Federation; and
(2) after making a determination under para-
graph (1) with respect to the Russian Federation,
proclaim the extension of nondiscriminatory treat-
ment (normal trade relations treatment) to the prod-
ucts of that country.
(b) TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV.—
On and after the effective date of the extension under sub-
section (a)(2) of nondiscriminatory treatment to the prod-
ucts of the Russian Federation, title IV of the Trade Act
of 1974 shall cease to apply to that country.
Æ