Speaker. I join the distinguished chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in supporting H.R. 1594. a bill extending for 5 years mostfavorednation tariff treatment to the Peoples Republic of Hungary. Providing nondiscriminatory tariff treatment to Hungary on a more permanent basis is. in my view. a just rewardand a modest onefor that countrys ongoing commitment to free emigration and to enhancing fundamental human rights. Under existing law. Hungary has enjoyed mostfavorednation status for more than 10 years. During this time. that countrys emigration laws and practices have been carefully reviewed under the criteria of the JacksonVanik amendment. and each year the President has recommended a waiver permitting MFN to be extended to Hungary for another year. Although emigration is the sole focus of the JacksonVanik amendment. fundamental human rights. including religious freedom and worker rights. have alway been scrutinized during consideration of the annual waiver. Hungarys record in this regard has been excellent. and recent actions by the Government and the Hungarian Parliament have underscored the countrys commitment to progressive reforms. However. the 1 year waiver policy lends uncertainty. especially to the business community. as to whether the United States policy toward Hungary will continue to include liberal tariff treatment.
Keywords matched
emigration