WALLY HERGER: “this is without a doubt one of the most important votes any of us will cast this Congress. Today we are deciding whether…”

“this is without a doubt one of the most important votes any of us will cast this Congress. Today we are deciding whether or not we will give American workers and American companies the support they need to open international markets. Nowhere is trade more important than on the farm. Last year, more than $140 million worth of dried plums, $600 million worth of almonds, were exported from the State of California, much of it from my northern California district. California exports 80 percent of its cotton, 70 percent of its almonds, and 40 percent of its rice, yet our farmers face an average tariff rate of 62 percent. These barriers will never be eliminated until we give the President Trade Promotion Authority. I strongly urge my colleagues to support TPA.”