U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding Vote to Grant President Obama Trade Promotion Authority
U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding Vote to Grant President Obama Trade Promotion Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement regarding his vote today in the House of Representatives to provide the President Trade Promotion Authority:
“My vote today to grant President Obama Trade Promotion Authority is about fighting for every advantage possible for our economy and American workers, and strengthening America’s geopolitical standing in a globalized world. The TPA legislation is a bipartisan effort to ensure that trade deals negotiated by the executive branch will be guided by Congressional directives to reach the highest most transparent and progressive standards ever required by law. It includes provisions crafted and promoted by Democrats requiring the Administration to negotiate the strongest labor and environmental standards of any trade authority bill. The American people will have unprecedented access to review the full and final text of any trade agreement for 60 days before the President signs the agreement.
“TPA is key to negotiating trade deals that level the playing field for America so that we can export U.S. made goods and services to the world market. Globalization is a reality that we can’t ignore, and trade agreements are the means by which the rules of trade are set. If we don’t negotiate, America would still have to compete, but with the disadvantage of rules set by our competitors like China. Today’s vote was about putting our nation on the strongest possible footing to compete and set rules that help create American jobs. I could not say no to that. I urge the Senate to quickly act so that President Obama can sign TPA into law.
“I look forward to swift action to also send Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation to the President so that it can be signed into law. Democrats have long been advocates of this important worker safety net, and I remain prepared to support its passage.”