Expressing the sense of Congress that all trade agreements the United States enters into, should provide reasonable access and collaboration of each nation involved in such an agreement, for the purpose of search and recovery activities relating to members of the United States Armed Forces still missing and unaccounted for from prior wars or military conflicts.
Summary
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that all future trade agreements should include provisions for reasonable access and collaboration to facilitate the search and recovery of missing U.S. Armed Forces personnel from past conflicts. It highlights the significant number of service members still unaccounted for from wars such as Vietnam, World War II, and the Korean War.
The resolution aims to leverage trade agreements to enhance cooperation with other nations in the recovery process. It emphasizes the importance of transparent and efficient processes for aiding in the repatriation of remains.
Ultimately, this resolution seeks to ensure that the United States uses its trade relationships to prioritize the recovery of its missing service members, providing closure for their families and honoring their service.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this resolution would likely lead to the inclusion of specific clauses in future trade agreements that mandate cooperation in search and recovery efforts for missing U.S. military personnel. This could result in increased access to areas previously restricted or difficult to access for recovery operations.
It may also encourage partner nations to prioritize these efforts, potentially leading to the identification and repatriation of more remains. The resolution could also influence the Department of Defense's approach to negotiating access for POW/MIA recovery operations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased cooperation from trade partners in locating and recovering missing U.S. service members.
- Potential for more efficient and transparent recovery processes.
- Greater access to previously restricted areas for search and recovery.
- Enhanced closure for families of missing service members.
- Reinforcement of the U.S. commitment to honoring and remembering those who served.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for trade negotiations to become more complex and protracted due to the inclusion of these provisions.
- Possible resistance from some trade partners who may view these requirements as intrusive or burdensome.
- Risk of these provisions being used as leverage in trade negotiations, potentially impacting other important aspects of the agreements.
- Enforcement challenges in ensuring that partner nations fully comply with the search and recovery requirements.
- Possible increase in the cost of trade agreements due to the added administrative and logistical burdens of search and recovery efforts.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it promotes the well-being of families of missing service members and honors the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces. The Constitution does not explicitly address trade agreements in this context, but Congress has broad authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations under Article I, Section 8.
The resolution does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties. It operates within the established framework of congressional authority over trade and foreign relations.
Furthermore, the resolution supports the government's responsibility to provide for the common defense and to honor those who have served, aligning with the spirit of the Constitution's preamble.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).