Sean Patrick Maloney: “often in this Congress we are faced, as we are today, with two imperfect choices. As a delegate to the U.N. conference…”

“often in this Congress we are faced, as we are today, with two imperfect choices. As a delegate to the U.N. conference in Beijing, China, I spoke out against China's human rights abuses, and I will continue to do so. I also know that, since beginning negotiations, changes have taken place. Normal trade relations are importing and exporting more products. They are exporting an understanding of our democratic standards. In 1994, the state compensation law was passed allowing Chinese citizens to sue Government officials and collect damages. Similar laws have passed but they would not have occurred without U.S. influence. Denying normal trade status to China would do nothing more than transfer trade to our international competitors and give ammunition to anti-American hard liners within China who will use our denial as an excuse to reverse advances that have already been made. I urge a vote against the resolution.”