Mr. Chairman. I strongly support the efforts to relieve the plight of Jews and political dissenters in the Soviet Union by putting Congress on record against special trade concessions with Russia unless freedom of emigration is granted. I know that I speak for thousands of my constituents on this point. Many of us in Congress have been working for months to help change the Soviet Unions repressive policies. I am particularly proud to have helped organize a bipartisan congressional vigil which took place over the past several months on the floor of the House in support of the MillsVanik legislation. Title IV of the trade bill presently includes a provision denying most favored nation status--special tariff concessionsto the Soviet Union until it lifts its barriers to emigration. I strongly support this provision. and will oppose any attempt to strike it from the bill. I also intend to support the Vanik amendment which will deny special trade credits to the Soviet Union until freedom of emigration is granted. We cannot permit American tax dollars to finance trade with the Soviet Unionthrough special credit arrangements such as were used in the grain dealwhile the Soviet Union refuses to allow Jews and dissenters the basic right to emigrate. I know we in the Congress would not want to subsidize the denial of the fundamental freedom of emigration. I am unable. however. to support the Trade Reform Act on final passage. While I support the concept of free world trade.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration