Leonard L. Boswell: “I deplore the games that have been played with American farmers and others who depend on trade. Since last summer I have…”

“I deplore the games that have been played with American farmers and others who depend on trade. Since last summer I have fought to include child labor provisions in the fast track legislation. Like many of my colleagues, I have lived outside the country for 9 years of my life, and I have seen firsthand some of the miserable conditions, some of the rotten conditions under which some children have to work. As the one true leader of the world stage, I believe the United States must be concerned about those who are least able to protect themselves, the children. Mr. Speaker, I have worked with the administration and leaders from both sides of the aisle to have fast track legislation that will consider child labor in countries with which we negotiate under fast track. This bill make an important first step in this direction. As of last night, and I thank my colleagues, as of last night the bill requires the President to focus on the laws governing the exploitative labor and submit to this body a report on the Nation's child labor laws.”