Anna Eshoo: “Mr. Speaker, I have but a few brief moments to come to the microphone today, not to urge Members one way or the other on…”

“Mr. Speaker, I have but a few brief moments to come to the microphone today, not to urge Members one way or the other on the issue that is before us, but to state why, with really a heavy heart, why I am not supporting the first trade issue since I have come to the Congress since 1992. In my congressional district, which is the home to Silicon Valley, we have scores of unemployed workers. They are part of that two-thirds of the American work force that are not eligible for unemployment benefits because they are contract workers. I know what the new economy produced. I have faith in the industrial leaders in my congressional district and other places. I believe they will help restore the economic well-being of our country. But we in the Congress have an obligation to stand next to those workers in my district and across the country that are part of the economic collateral of 9-11 and before that. That is why I rise. I asked for a vote on an economic package that would deal with them first, and on the heels of that, support trade assistance. So it is with a great deal of regret that I state that I cannot and will not vote for the bill because of it.”