New Democrat Coalition Chairman Urges Action on Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) issued the following statement urging action on Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment assistance, which he called “vital tools” to help America compete in the global economy.
“Since 1934, Congress has passed 18 Trade Promotion Authority bills and this year must be no different. Trade Promotion Authority gives the United States a vital tool to pursue modern trade agreements that create good-paying American jobs, boost manufacturing and innovation, help America’s farmers and ranchers, support the growth of the Internet, and keep the United States competitive in a fast-moving global economy. Now is the time to move forward on Trade Promotion Authority and renewing Trade Adjustment Assistance.
New Democrat Coalition members have consistently sought coordination and transparency on trade agreements, and we will continue to do so into the future. We were also very supportive of the May 10, 2007 agreement that brought labor and environmental standards into agreements with the same dispute mechanism as commercial chapters. We expect these priorities to be included in any TPA legislation Congress considers.
The bottom line is this: when Congress plays a larger role in shaping and developing trade agreements and when it enacts Trade Promotion Authority, American businesses and workers win.
As we pursue the vital goal of completing Trade Promotion Authority, we must not forget the central role that Trade Adjustment Assistance plays in ensuring that no American worker is left behind in global trade. TAA and TPA have always gone hand-in-hand, preserving the balance between a robust trade strategy and the need to keep our workers competitive. The New Democrats have pushed for, and will continue to push for this critical link to be upheld going forward.”
The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
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