Political Quotes

“Madam President, this is a very serious claim being made by Senator Toomey, and I don't take this lightly because the privilege afforded by the trade promotion authority is a very important matter. The appropriations language that Senator Toomey takes issue with is, indeed, trade promotion authority-compliant. The appropriations ensure that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement's commitments are fulfilled and enforceable by providing adequate resources to do so. The commitments cover bipartisan priorities, including the monitoring, enforcement, and recapitalization of the North American Development Bank. If funds were only authorized, as Senator Toomey has suggested, there would be no guarantee that we would be able to fulfill the commitments made in the USMCA, and the credibility of our good-faith negotiations with Mexico and Canada is the presumption that we will carry out this agreement and carry it out year after year after year. Besides, historically, all trade bills result in changes to Federal spending and revenue. This bill has the benefit of reducing the deficit even with the funds discussed by Senator Toomey. Striking the emergency designations could lead to a sequestration of discretionary funding as regular appropriations for fiscal year 2020 have already been enacted. The emergency designation is, in this precise context--and in a very precise context--considered strictly necessary or appropriate under section 103 of the trade promotion authority 2015.…”