On the recordDecember 15, 2010
This is really a vital bill. I bring it to the floor in a bipartisan spirit to move and to make sure that all of the important pieces of this vital legislation, all of them, become law. This bill continues the essential trade adjustment assistance program that we expanded in 2009. Importantly, these reforms were authored on a bipartisan, bicameral basis by Mr. Rangel and myself, Mr. Camp, Senators Baucus and Grassley. So let me say just a few words about TAA. Since the reforms were implemented in 2009, more than 155,000 additional trade-impacted workers who might not have been certified under the former TAA program became eligible for TAA worker benefits and training opportunities. More than 155,000. In total, more than 367,000 workers were certified as eligible for TAA support in that timeframe. In 2010 alone, and I also want to emphasize this number, 227,882 workers took advantage of TAA and participated in the program, receiving case management, training and/or income support. You know, I wish in a way 227,882 people could come here and line up from here. I'm not quite sure how far the line would extend. It would be a very long way. We have a solemn obligation to continue this expanded program. This legislation also supports U.S. businesses that need inputs or components not produced here in the U.S. in order to manufacture, and I underline that, downstream products here in the United States of America.
