Tom Harkin: “this is what we are here to talk about once again: making it in America. On Friday, the Department of Labor made…”

“this is what we are here to talk about once again: making it in America. On Friday, the Department of Labor made available more than $500,000 to assist 183 Iowans laid off from the ThermoFisher Scientific plant in Dubuque. All of the workers were certified as eligible for trade adjustment assistance. This grant was designed to help unemployed Iowans as they attempt to find new work in an economy that is already desperately short of new jobs. I am certainly grateful for the temporary assistance from the Federal Government, as I am sure are the unemployed workers and their families. But what is wrong with this picture? Once again, we find ourselves lending modest assistance to American workers whose jobs have been eliminated--whose economic security has been destroyed--because U.S. manufacturing is being shipped overseas. I would note that manufacturing jobs, which are generally high paying, have been particularly hard hit in this economic downturn. In my State of Iowa, there has been a steady, relentless drumbeat of layoffs and plant closings as companies from Electrolux to Cummins shut down their plants and move to other countries--including Mexico and China and other countries--that offer low wages, lower workplace safety standards, and only minimal environmental oversight. This is happening despite the fact that American workers, while paid more, tend to be far more efficient and productive.”