Chris Smith: “I am attaching an exchange of letters between Chairman Hyde and Chairman Thomas concerning H. Con. Res. 294 ``Calling on…”

“I am attaching an exchange of letters between Chairman Hyde and Chairman Thomas concerning H. Con. Res. 294 ``Calling on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China, as a tool for suppression maintained by the Chinese Government'' for insertion into the Congressional Record. Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 13, 2005. Hon. Henry J. Hyde, Chairman, Committee on International Relations, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Hyde: I am writing in regard to H. Con. Res. 294, which is scheduled for floor consideration on Wednesday, December 14, 2005. The second clause of the resolution relates to the use of prison labor in China. As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over matters concerning imports. The second resolved clause calls on the Government of the United States to fully implement its laws prohibiting the importation of products made in Chinese forced labor camps, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However, in order to expedite this resolution for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action on this resolution. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation.…”