Political Quotes

“In the last 12 months 10,000 American steelworkers have found out firsthand that fair trade is not fair and free trade is not free. The cost of those 10,000 American workers was more than their jobs. It was the loss of a lifestyle, a loss of the retirement savings, a loss of a promising future, and for some the cost was a lose of their home and even their family. Mr. Speaker, it has not stopped yet. Thousands of more jobs will be lost if we do not act now. Ten thousand, and still counting, steelworkers have lost their jobs, not because of fair competition, but because of unfair competition. Employers and employees worked and sacrificed together to modernize the American steel industry, making it once again the most efficient steel industry in the world. They are willing to compete fairly, but they do not have a chance unless their government once again makes the playing field level. Foreign countries facing recessions and owing interest on American loans have targeted America as a place to raise hard cash. Countries where it takes $400 to make a ton of steel are dumping it here in record amounts for $200 a ton. Stopping that is not protectionism. It is ending an illegal business practice, one we would not allow one American company to do to another.”