Cliff Stearns: “this country is in a new era. We have not faced such times of trepidation since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is well…”

“this country is in a new era. We have not faced such times of trepidation since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is well established that countries who trade, who are engaged in business with one another, are less inclined to fight, and more willing to cooperate among mutual beneficial matters. Ultimately, trade is about freedom and economic prosperity. And in some cases, prosperity has been the case for certain sectors of the American economy. Unfortunately, such has not been the case in my district in Florida. There are number of small farmers and businesses who were decimated by NAFTA and imports from Mexico. Promises made by our government were promises un-kept. The specific provisional relief promised to the tomato growers, for instance, was applied for after implementation of NAFTA, and subsequently these farmers were denied that relief. Under NAFTA, Florida exports in total agriculture products dropped from $6.1 million to 1.9 million between 1993 and 1996. Only in the year 2000, did exports climb above the 1993 level--but the damage was done. Earlier today, the House voted to reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, a program designed to aid workers and firms who have been affected by the impact of foreign trade. This program alone serves as a reminder that not everyone in our country benefits from free trade . . . including small farmers and businesses in my district. Now I understand the need to engage in free trade and I support free trade.”