JOHN LINDER: “I have a whole raft of information from my staff talking about the benefits of trade and the economy, on jobs; and I…”

“I have a whole raft of information from my staff talking about the benefits of trade and the economy, on jobs; and I will submit that for the Record. But let me just raise a confusing question. Why in the world does this House want to take itself out of the picture? Absent TPA, we have no voice. The President negotiates with any nation in the world a trade agreement and brings it to the Senate as a treaty for their approval or disapproval, amendment or no amendment. If it is amended, it goes back to the other nation, and they have to negotiate a second time. I would not blame any executive of another nation to not want to deal with us, to have to go through two negotiations. This House claims to be concerned about such things as labor and environment and human rights. Failing to pass TPA takes us out of the picture. We are silent. We have no voice. Under TPA, the President can go to any nation, negotiate any agreement, and bring it back to the House and the Senate for an up or down vote. If we do not like the agreement, we can vote it down. If we do not like the lack of consultation, defeat it. But at least keep us in the game. Absent TPA, this House is silent. Mr. Speaker, I do not understand how we are going to shape any future agreement, have any consultative effect, if the President just chooses to go to treaties and deals with the Senate. We need to get in the ballgame. We have the lowest tariffs in the world.…”