To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Kazakhstan.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan achieved its independence from the former Soviet Union and became a self-governing nation-state on December 16, 1991. Guided by its first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan quickly renounced nuclear weapons, and worked with the United States to close the former Soviet nuclear test facility at Semipalatinsk and secure the nuclear materials stored there. These bold gestures by President Nazarbayev and his government at a time of significant instability in the region set a precedent on nuclear safety and nonproliferation efforts for Kazakhstan in the international community.

After independence, Kazakhstan quickly turned away from Soviet- inspired central economic planning and built a stable market economy. As early as 1992, Kazakhstan joined international arbitration bodies and actively invited foreign investment in the country. Today Kazakhstan's economic output is one of the most robust in Central Asia, and American companies are some of the largest investors in Kazakhstan. In 2015, after twenty years of negotiations, Kazakhstan acceded to membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), further broadening its relationship with the global economic community.

In 2019, the Kazakh people elected President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who has pledged more important economic and political reforms. He has called his vision of government, ``the listening state,'' and has promised to hear and respond to Kazakh citizens, to act consistently with international social, labor, and human rights standards, and to encourage participation in the political life of the country. I applaud these calls for reforms and hope that the government of Kazakhstan will implement them which will ultimately benefit the country and cement its place as a reliable friend of the United States.

One of the requirements of the WTO is that members extend permanent normal trade relations to each other. Unfortunately, the U.S. has yet to grant permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan, citing the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 which restricts trade relations with non-market economies that limit the right of citizens to emigrate. This measure was aimed at the Soviet Union and its then- allies in response to their punitive restrictions on Jewish emigres. Joined by my friends, Ms. Walorski, Ms. Murphy, and Mr. Chabot, I introduced H.R. 5544 in October to grant permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan. It is long past time for the U.S. to take this step. The Soviet Union no longer exists, and its successor, the Russian Federation, was granted permanent normal trade relations in 2012. Meanwhile, since independence, Kazakhstan has granted all of its citizens the freedom to emigrate and adopted a stable market economy. The conditions that led to enactment of Jackson-Vanik no longer exist, and the reasons for its restrictions on trade relations have long since ceased to apply to Kazakhstan. Permanent normal trade relations will benefit Kazakhstan and will also benefit the many U.S. companies investing in and doing business in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan also has been a crucial leader and partner to the U.S. on counterterrorism efforts, providing support and assistance to the U.S. during its engagement in Afghanistan. The country has an abundance of natural resources, including rare earth and other critical minerals that will play a significant role in the global shift away from fossil fuels. Kazakhstan has a young and educated workforce and actively promotes universal education, including English language skills, so its citizens can fully participate in the global economy. For these reasons, I believe Kazakhstan deserves our sustained interest, friendship, and attention as it continues to evolve.

Madam Speaker, I recently assumed the role of co-chair of the U.S.- Kazakhstan Caucus because I believe our relationship with Kazakhstan is very important to the economic and national security of the United States. We clearly benefit from our friendship with this vibrant and growing nation located in such a strategic part of the world. I invite all my House colleagues to consider joining the Caucus and supporting the granting of permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan.

Congratulations to the Kazakh people on 30 years of independence, progress, and growth.

Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Congressional Caucus, I rise today to celebrate 30 years of Kazakhstan's independence and three decades of the U.S.-Kazakhstan bilateral relationship. In 1991, the United States was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan's independence, and the relationship remains as important today as it was 30 years ago.

In 2010, the United States and Kazakhstan entered into a Strategic Partnership and launched the Annual Bilateral Consultations on a variety of issues including but not limited to regional cooperation and security, rule of law and economic development, and human rights and civil society. In 2018, the two countries elevated their cooperation to establish an Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century, and agreed to heightened cooperation on a multitude of policy issues.

One of the strongest areas of cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan has been in the economic arena. Since independence, U.S. companies have been a significant source of foreign direct investment for Kazakhstan, and over the past 30 years, U.S. investment in Kazakhstan has totaled an estimated $370 billion. Kazakhstan has worked hard to create a strong market economy, and the country has focused significant resources on rule of law issues to create a welcoming environment for all foreign investment.

Kazakhstan became a member of the World Bank's International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (``ICSID'') in 1992, a member of the World Trade Association (WTO) in 2015, and in 2017, Kazakhstan became a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In 2018, the government officially launched the Astana International Finance Center (AIFC), which among other things, provides foreign investors with the opportunity to seek out an alternative jurisdiction for dispute resolution. Such investments in the rule of law in Kazakhstan have been an important step to grow Kazakhstan's market economy and continue to attract investment from the United States.

As we continue to grow our strong economic ties, I urge Congress to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Kazakhstan as soon as possible. I was honored to recently join in the bipartisan effort to introduce H.R. 5544, which lifts Kazakhstan from the existing constraints of the outdated Jackson-Yanik Amendment. This graduation for Kazakhstan is long overdue. As Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over U.S. foreign policy issues affecting Central Asia, I understand what an important regional partner Kazakhstan has been to the United States during the past 30 years. But I also understand what an important role Kazakhstan will continue to play in the region moving forward, and any efforts to strengthen our economic ties will strengthen the bilateral relationship across the board.

So I would like to congratulate all the people of Kazakhstan as well as Kazakh-Americans taking part in the 30th anniversary celebrations this month.