PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 16, 1994
United States-China Act of 1994 - Declares that if nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) is not granted to China by reason of the enactment of a congressional disapproval resolution, such treatment shall continue to apply to goods that are produced by a person that is not a state-owned Chinese enterprise, but not apply to any goods that are produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Provides that if nondiscriminatory treatment is granted to China for a 12-month period on July 3, 1994, such treatment shall not apply to: (1) any good that is produced by the People's Liberation Army or a Chinese defense industrial trading company; or (2) any nonqualified good that is produced by a state-owned Chinese enterprise. Provides that in order for such treatment to be granted to China, the Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with American businesses that have significant trade with or investment in China, to encourage them to adopt a voluntary code of conduct that: (1) follows internationally recognized human rights principles; (2) ensures the employment of Chinese citizens is not discriminatory in terms of sex, ethnic origin, or political belief; (3) ensures that no convict, forced, or indentured labor is knowingly used; (4) recognizes the rights of workers to freely organize and bargain collectively; and (5) discourages mandatory political indoctrination on business premises. Requires the Secretary to determine, and publish in the Federal Register, which persons are state-owned Chinese enterprises and Chinese defense industrial trading companies. Authorizes the President to waive any condition or prohibition imposed under this Act if he determines and reports to the Congress that its continued imposition would have a serious adverse effect on vital U.S. national security interests. Declares that if the President recommends in 1995 that the waiver of human rights and emigration requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment for China be continued, he shall state in a specified report to the Congress the extent to which China has made progress with respect to: (1) adhering to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (2) ceasing the exportation to the United States of products made with convict, forced, or indentured labor; (3) ceasing unfair and discriminatory trade practices which restrict and unreasonably burden American businesses; and (4) adhering to the guidelines of the Missile Technology Control Regime and the controls adopted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group.
People & committees
Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-8] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4590.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 509, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Pelosi amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 509, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Hamilton amendment in the nature of a substitute.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Philip R. Sharp to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 509 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 373 and H.R. 4590 with 1 hour and 20 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. Waiving all points of order against consideration of the joints resolution and against its consideration in the House. After disposition of the joint resolution, it shall be in order to consider H.R. 4590 in the Committee of the Whole, with up to one hour of general debate. Specified amendments are in order. No amendment to H.R. 4590 shall be in order except those amendments printed in part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution, if offered in the order and manner specified. If more than one of the amendments in the report is adopted, only the last such amendment shall be considered as finally adopted and reported to the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on H.R. 4590 and any amendment thereto without intervening mo...
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 509. (consideration: CR H7236-7271)
Rule H. Res. 509 passed House.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7187-7190)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 509 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 373 and H.R. 4590 with 1 hour and 20 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. Waiving all points of order against consideration of the joints resolution and against its consideration in the House. After disposition of the joint resolution, it shall be in order to consider H.R. 4590 in the Committee of the Whole, with up to one hour of general debate. Specified amendments are in order. No amendment to H.R. 4590 shall be in order except those amendments printed in part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution, if offered in the order and manner specified. If more than one of the amendments in the report is adopted, only the last such amendment shall be considered as finally adopted and reported to the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on H.R. 4590 and any amendment thereto without intervening mo...
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6769)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6706)
Reported adversely by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-640, Part I.
Reported adversely by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 103-640, Part I.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) Adversely.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from State.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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