one of his first acts as President that former President Trump made was what many of us regard as a misguided and short-sighted decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, TPP, agreement.

Let me welcome Joe Lieberman. Welcome back to your home, and thank you for your years of leadership.

It is time to enact the Washington D.C. Admission Act.

Full realization of the labor and environmental commitments of the USMCA are key to the agreement's success.

The United States risks not only foregoing this opportunity but becoming increasingly marginalized as the region forges a new future without us.

I have had a keen interest in the intersection between trade and national security.

For 7 months, Senator Cornyn and I worked on the subcommittee on a push for the U.S. to get its seat back at the table when it comes to trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

These cyberattacks undermine confidence in digital trade, they also pose a grave national security threat.

The power of America's global alliances is a unique instrument, one unavailable to China.

I believe we need to be strategic and to work cooperatively with our allies to ensure fairness, transparency, and openness in our e-commerce and data roles.

I will be the first to admit that the TPP agreement was not perfect.

the residents of the District of Columbia have been patient since 1965, have been patient as they sought to achieve and to accomplish their full rights as American citizens.

If confirmed, I will work with Ambassador Tai to deepen trade engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

There are no constitutional obstacles to admitting Washington, D.C., as a State.

Statements like this are not made lightly and must be taken seriously.

I am happy to work with you and thank you for working with us on the environmental piece.

My bill, a bill that many of our colleagues have co-sponsored, as well as the nearly 40 constitutional law experts who recently signed a letter of support, believe otherwise.

A word of thanks to D.C. shadow Senators, Paul Strauss and Michael Brown, for their input.