SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 13
(By Senators Manchin, Whitlow, Claypole, Felton,
Anderson, Helmick, Ross, Plymale, Sharpe,
Brackenrich and Craigo)
Requesting the United States Congress and the President reject
the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Whereas, A proposed agreement, the North American Free Trade
Agreement, between the United States, Mexico and Canada relating
to market access, trade rules, services, investment, intellectual
property and trade remedies is now pending in the United States
Congress; and
Whereas, There are no difficulties with such an agreement
with Canada, with whom the United States already has a limited
agreement and whose economic foundation, labor, safety and
environmental rules equal those of the United States; and
Whereas, Uncertainties exists with such an agreement with
Mexico, whose economy is unstable and whose labor, safety and
environmental rules do not equal those of the United States; and
Whereas, If implemented, such an agreement could cost
between 290,000 to 490,000 jobs in the United States, according
to some economists, affecting mostly industries involved in
electronic assembly, textile and apparel and food processing; and
Whereas, At a time when America is already faced with high
unemployment and a tremendous deficit, and at a time whenAmerican taxpayers are being asked to pay more and our government
is being asked to spend less, the loss of any revenue, including
tariffs from foreign countries and higher employment benefits as
a result of job losses, could be damaging to the growth and
stability of the economy in the United States; and
Whereas, It is understood that the United States Congress is
not empowered to change or alter a proposed treaty with any
nation. It is also understood that it is empowered to either
support or reject any treaty's total package; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby requests the United States Congress
and the President to reject the North American Free Trade
Agreement. While the Senate recognizes that there should be no
hesitation in entering into such an agreement with Canada, it
observes that such an agreement with Mexico has the potential to
further damage the employment opportunities for workers, not only
in West Virginia but throughout the nation, by the low-cost
imports and low wages in Mexico; that such an agreement has the
potential to unfairly give advantages to Mexican producers by the
differences in labor, safety and environmental standards; and
that the elimination of tariffs and higher unemployment benefits
resulting from job losses could have a direct effect on America's
economic growth and stability; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the members of the West
Virginia delegation in the United States Congress and to
President William Jefferson Clinton.