Mike Levin: “I opposed the Senate fast track bill even though it was an improvement over the House fast track bill. Unfortunately…”

“I opposed the Senate fast track bill even though it was an improvement over the House fast track bill. Unfortunately, the conference report we are considering today has gutted many of the improvements made in the Senate. I felt the Senate bill did not go far enough. The fast track conference report we are being asked to vote on today is a significant step backwards from what the Senate passed. I did not support the Senate version of this bill because it would not allow Congress to amend a trade agreement, even to improve it to make sure it was in the best interests of U.S. workers, industry, or agriculture. It also did not go far enough to encourage the adoption of internationally accepted labor standards or protect the environment. It did not ensure that U.S. products would have fair access to foreign markets in exchange for granting access to our markets. I cannot support a bill that is significantly weaker than the Senate bill. Granting the President broad 'fast track' authority to negotiate trade agreements means Congress must adopt a law to implement any trade agreement on a straight up or down vote, without the ability to offer amendments. I believe in free trade. I supported the Jordan Free Trade Agreement, the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and granting China Permanent Normal Trade Relations, PNTR. But I am reluctant to give up the Congressional right to amend trade legislation, sight unseen.”