Cord Byrd: “I have been astonished that the Senate--the very institution in which Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay…”

“I have been astonished that the Senate--the very institution in which Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Robert Wagner, and Richard Russell once made important national policy, even it it meant defying presidents--would sit back and humbly and meekly allow the interests of the workers in their states to be sacrificed upon the altar of the false promise of free trade. These past few weeks, I have been even more disturbed that some would allow their concerns and their opposition to fast-track authority to be bought off with another false promise--the false promise of enhanced trade adjustment assistance for workers impacted by trade. I am not opposed to trade adjustment assistance in its intent and purpose. Trade adjustment assistance provides an important service when and where it is needed. But trade adjustment is not a panacea. Trade adjustment assistance is not a substitute for a job. Trade adjustment assistance is not a substitute for good trade policies. Trade adjustment assistance should never, never, be considered as a substitute for Congressional input into trade agreements, input that is essential for members of this chamber to be able to protect and promote the interests of our constituents. My opposition to giving fast-track authority to the executive branch is long-standing and unchanging. The Constitution obligates Congress to regulate foreign commerce.…”