Floor SpeechNeutral2026-09-14

REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2

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On 2026-09-14, Senator Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY) delivered a floor speech titled "REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2" in the Senate.

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REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4689-S4690] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2 Ms. LUMMIS. As if in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on September 14, 2026, by the President of the United States: Tax Convention with Croatia and Protocol Amending the Tax Convention with Croatia, Treaty Document No. 119-2. I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The message of the President is as follows: Letter of Transmittal, The White House, September 14, 2026. To the Senate of the United States: With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, with Protocol, done at Washington on December 7, 2022, and the Protocol between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia Amending the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, done at Dubrovnik on April 28, 2026 (collectively, the ``proposed Treaty''). I also [[Page S4690]] transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State, which includes an Overview of the proposed Treaty. The proposed Treaty would be the first bilateral income tax treaty between the United States and Croatia. The Proposed Treaty follows the current United States Model Income Tax Convention, with only a few divergencies that reflect particular aspects of Croation law and treaty policy. The proposed Treaty significantly reduces (and, in some cases, eliminates) withholding taxes on investment income and provides benefits to individuals engaged in cross-border activities between the United States and Croatia. The proposed Treaty contains Comprehensive provisions designed to address ``treaty shopping,'' which is the inappropriate use of a tax treaty by residents of a third country. The proposed Treaty contains robust mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between the United States and Croation tax authorities as well as rules that allow the tax authorities to provide assistance to each other through the exchange of information to facilitate the administration of each country's tax laws. I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the proposed Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification. Donald J. Trump. The White House, September 14, 2026. ____________________

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REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4689-S4690] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 119-2 Ms. LUMMIS. As if in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on September 14, 2026, by the President of the United States: Tax Convention with Croatia and Protocol Amending the Tax Convention with Croatia, Treaty Document No. 119-2. I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The message of the President is as follows: Letter of Transmittal, The White House, September 14, 2026. To the Senate of the United States: With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, with Protocol, done at Washington on December 7, 2022, and the Protocol between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia Amending the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, done at Dubrovnik on April 28, 2026 (collectively, the ``proposed Treaty''). I also [[Page S4690]] transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State, which includes an Overview of the proposed Treaty. The proposed Treaty would be the first bilateral income tax treaty between the United States and Croatia. The Proposed Treaty follows the current United States Model Income Tax Convention, with only a few divergencies that reflect particular aspects of Croation law and treaty policy. The proposed Treaty significantly reduces (and, in some cases, eliminates) withholding taxes on investment income and provides benefits to individuals engaged in cross-border activities between the United States and Croatia. The proposed Treaty contains Comprehensive provisions designed to address ``treaty shopping,'' which is the inappropriate use of a tax treaty by residents of a third country. The proposed Treaty contains robust mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between the United States and Croation tax authorities as well as rules that allow the tax authorities to provide assistance to each other through the exchange of information to facilitate the administration of each country's tax laws. I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the proposed Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification. Donald J. Trump. The White House, September 14, 2026. ____________________