IV 
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 poten-
tial 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 
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•HRES 248 IH 
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 Presi-
dent 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 ‘‘Jas-
mine 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 elec-
tion; 
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 encour-
aging 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 un-
rest, political uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring Libya, 
and economic crisis in Europe have contributed to severe 
economic difficulties in Tunisia; 
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•HRES 248 IH 
Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has car-
ried out attacks in Tunisia and poses an increasing 
threat to the stability of the nation; 
Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary con-
cern for most Tunisians; 
Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people 
are not realized, the potential for anti-democratic or ex-
tremist 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 ca-
pacity to modernize and liberalize its economy, as well as 
provide maximum leverage to facilitate the implementa-
tion 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 larg-
est trading partner; 
Whereas United States exports to Tunisia were $850 million 
and United States imports from Tunisia were $521 mil-
lion in 2014; 
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•HRES 248 IH 
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 Or-
ganization since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that the United States should initiate pre-
paratory work to begin negotiations to enter into a free 
trade agreement with Tunisia. 
Æ 
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