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A Double Lock on Compliance

October 21, 1974
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Congress will judge Soviet compliance with its assurances on emigration practices under the Congressional Administration agreement and will determine the continuing flow of U.S. trade benefits and credits to the Soviet government on the basis of its judgment of Administration reports.

This triumph for Congress evolved in the final discussion between President Ford and key Congressional figures on the trade emigration issue that was hammered out Friday after Congressional al and White House aides worked late into the night before to write the legislation.

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OUTLINED

“We have a double lock on compliance.” a Congressional aide told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He was referring to the following legislative process to govern compliance: After the trade bill with the Jackson/Mills-Vanik measure in it intact becomes law, the President will have the authority to extend to the Soviet government most favored nation treatment and make it eligible for U.S. credits during the ensuing 18 months.

Thirty days before that period ends, the President will ask Congress for an extension of that authority and submit a report to Congress on Soviet emigration practices compared with assurances Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger has outlined In but letter to Sen. Henry M. Jackson and Jackson’s understanding of them in his response to Kissinger.

Congress will have 60 days to pass a concurrent affirmative resolution on the President’s request. If it is not passed, then in the next 45 days either House will have the right to veto the authorization. on. After that, annually, either chamber will be able to veto continued authorization. If neither does, the authorization continues automatically.

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