Jane Harman: “Some days are harder than others. The last 24 hours was excruciating. The votes on establishing a Department of Homeland…”

“Some days are harder than others. The last 24 hours was excruciating. The votes on establishing a Department of Homeland Security were difficult, but its urgency is underscored by the continuing threat from terrorism. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is another hard issue. I represent a trade-dependent district and am well aware that LAX and the Port of Los Angeles are huge trade multipliers. The Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach moved $175 billion worth of cargo last year and accounted for 500,000 trade-related jobs in the region. The Los Angeles Customs District is the Nation's second largest, based on value of two-way trade. In 2001, this totaled $212.5 billion, compared with $214.1 billion of the first place New York. In the South Bay, trade clearly generates high skill, high wage jobs. But not everyone benefits, and so the conversation about trade should properly address those who are hurt. The challenge is to retrain affected workers not freeze them and their outdated skills in an uncompetitive workplace. The policy answer is to provide what has traditionally been called trade adjustment assistance (TAA)--training, wage assistance, and healthcare--to those who are hurt. I voted against TPA last December because the Administration refused to include TAA in the legislation. The conference report we vote on tonight does not make the same mistake.”