Political Quotes

“I thank Chairman Blumenauer for yielding me the time. I rise today in support of H.R. 991, my legislation to reauthorize the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act. Madam Speaker, I thank my Republican colleague, Brad Wenstrup, for his leadership on this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady for all of their help. Madam Speaker, I especially want to acknowledge my chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade, Mr. Blumenauer, for hosting a very meaningful hearing on the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement and its importance of being reauthorized by September 30 of this year. For two decades, the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement has been a critical tool to expand our diplomatic and economic relationship with countries throughout the Caribbean Basin region. This agreement has allowed for duty- and quota-free treatment of products made with U.S. goods. The liberalization of our trade relationship with these countries has strengthened Western Hemisphere supply chains, while providing economic development and job creation in the region. In 2018, United States exports to CBI countries totalled $13.4 billion, while imports totaled $6 billion, creating a $7.4 billion goods trade surplus for the United States. One of those Caribbean Basin countries, Haiti, has had tremendous economic benefits by the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act.…”