David Skaggs: “a year ago, when I announced my decision to support fast track trade negotiating authority, I told my constituents that…”

“a year ago, when I announced my decision to support fast track trade negotiating authority, I told my constituents that I was supporting it because I believe strongly that good jobs depend on expanded trade--especially for a state like Colorado that is a leader in high tech and agricultural exports. Over my twelve years in Congress, I have talked with workers, farmers, managers, and CEOs whose jobs depend on being able to sell their goods overseas. To expand U.S. exports we must make trade agreements to open foreign markets to the goods and services produced by Colorado's and America's workers. One-third of our economic growth in recent years has come from exports. Our economy is in the eighth year of a steady expansion, with low inflation, and unemployment at such low levels that economists consider it to be ``full'' employment. I am convinced that the long-term health of our economy depends on continuing to lower barriers to our exports and expand opportunities to sell our goods. For the United States to retreat from the policy of trade liberalization, which has been a major source of worldwide economic growth since the end of World War II, would have enormous consequences for this country and for the rest of the world. What is essential in the long-run is a sustainable, centrist, bipartisan, and reliable coalition for a progressive trade policy.”