Russ Feingold: “I join the Senator from Michigan [Mr. Abraham] in introducing the China Policy Act of 1997. This is a bill that I am…”

“I join the Senator from Michigan [Mr. Abraham] in introducing the China Policy Act of 1997. This is a bill that I am proud to cosponsor and one that will send a much-needed message to the leaders of the People's Republic of China. I commend the Senator from Michigan for his efforts. The China Policy Act is an omnibus bill that covers a broad range of issues. This legislation will impose targeted sanctions against Chinese entities-- such as the military and public security apparatus--that are directly engaged in weapons proliferation and human rights abuses. In addition, this bill calls for tighter enforcement of various laws related to China, such as the ban on Chinese prison-labor goods and controls on the export of high-speed computers to China. The legislation also contains funding increases for student, cultural, and legislative exchanges between the United States and China. The China Policy Act is designed to move Congress and the American public beyond the sometimes polarizing debate over China's most- favored-nation trade status, offering realistic alternatives to revoking MFN that merit broad bipartisan support. As many of my colleagues know, I have been a strong opponent of granting MFN privileges to China and, in fact, have been an original cosponsor of the resolutions of disapproval for the past 3 years.…”