Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today in support of the trade legislation before the Senate. What we have done so far has been to consider: No. 1, the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015. This bill extends a number of trade preference programs related to Africa and Haiti. It also reauthorizes the Generalized System of Preferences Program, which expired in 2013. No. 2, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. This bill includes new trade enforcement mechanisms to protect American workers from unfair trade practices. The legislation also includes a complete ban on importing goods created by child labor, which I strongly support. No. 3, trade adjustment assistance. This bill reauthorizes Federal assistance for worker retraining and income support to those displaced by trade. In fiscal year 2013, 7,609 Californians received training under the program, so I believe it is critical that we continue this assistance. No. 4, trade promotion authority. This bill authorizes the President to conclude free-trade agreements with our trading partners. In exchange, those agreements will receive an up-or-down vote in the Congress. I voted for these bills because they will update our trade policy in a smart, effective way. The process of considering these bills has enabled me to see the extraordinary importance of trade to California's economy. In 2013, California's total gross domestic product was an estimated $2.2 trillion.…”