Ellen Tauscher: “I rise to support the Trade Promotion Authority conference report. I am for free and open trade, and I want this…”

“I rise to support the Trade Promotion Authority conference report. I am for free and open trade, and I want this President and all presidents to have Fast Track authority. Today, I think we need to remove some misconceptions about Trade Promotion authority. This is not a trade agreement. Rather, it would give our government the authority to negotiate trade agreements. Congress would still get to vote up or down on every trade agreement that's made, and I would stand by my commitments to American workers and to protecting our labor standards and environmental laws during each and every one of those votes. I believe trade is critical to America's economic growth and prosperity. The great strength of the American economy is really in the spirit of its people. It's American innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness that drives our industry, agriculture, and local businesses. The good news is every American stands to benefit from free trade. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to see the conference report contains a solid trade compromise with robust trade adjustment assistance for displaced American workers. In fact, this is the most progressive trade authority ever considered by Congress. It expands the current worker assistance program threefold, and for the first time provides health care assistance for the unemployed.”