Benjamin Gilman: “I join my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee and the International Relations Committee who support the passage…”

“I join my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee and the International Relations Committee who support the passage of H.R. 3161, making Romania permanently eligible for United States most-favored-nation trade benefits. I want to commend Chairman Crane and the sponsors of this measure for working to bring it to the floor today. Romania currently enjoys MFN status, since it has been deemed to be in compliance with the underlying provisions of United States trade law. This measure simply allows Romania to receive such trade benefits on a permanent basis--which should help promote American investment in that important country. Passage of this measure would also recognize the improvements that have been made through political and economic reforms in Romania. However, there needs to be further progress in such reforms. With regard to its foreign policy, Romania must resolve its outstanding bilateral differences with neighbors like Ukraine and Hungary. With regard to Hungary, in particular, we need to see further progress toward the historic reconciliation Romanian President Iliescu says he seeks. Yes, there is still much that needs to be done, and I say to the Government of Romania--and to those who believe that passage of this measure is premature--that we will be looking for progress.”