Sam Brownback: “I stated to the President that I don't think there is another thing we could do in the near term for us to be able to…”

“I stated to the President that I don't think there is another thing we could do in the near term for us to be able to grow this economy that would be more important than to pass trade promotion authority. I think it is that critical a piece of legislation for us to stimulate the economy. At this point in time, this is critical for us to do. We received economic figures today that showed anemic growth in the last quarter--1.1-percent economic growth. We need to do everything possible to stimulate this economy. Trade promotion authority is the lead piece of legislation that we can do to expand the trade opportunities for this Nation. I strongly believe that. I have worked in the trade field. In 1990 and 1991, I worked in the U.S. Trade Representative's office when we were beginning the negotiations for the NAFTA treaty--certainly a treaty that is not perfect, but one that has expanded trade opportunity and has grown the economy of the United States. The United States has an international economy. From that, I mean to say we have an economy that is based substantially upon trade.”