Political Quotes

“I do not rise in opposition. Madam Chairman, this amendment, as has been so fairly stated by its sponsor, prohibits the use of Exim assistance for exports to companies that employ child labor. The majority does not intend to object to the amendment. The gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] seeks to address a very serious human rights concern that is being examined in a number of fora, including the OECD, as well as by our own Customs Department. Although we have doubts that Eximbank is the appropriate vehicle through which to address this issue, the amendment is certainly a powerful symbol of congressional concerns that inhumane child labor practices should not be tolerated. Having said that, let me register some apprehensions the majority has regarding how the amendment would be implemented. Is there any comprehensive list available to the Bank of companies that employ child labor? Would the amendment apply retrospectively to new transactions only? How would it be enforced? Would foreign buyers of U.S. goods see this as an extraterritorial of U.S. laws? It would be my hope that we would work with the sponsor of the amendment and the minority to iron out these details later in conference with the other body. Having said that, we will not oppose the amendment. And I applaud the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] for his thoughtful initiative.”