Michelle Wu: “I want to express my great respect to Chairman Levin and Chairman Rangel and deep appreciation for the improvements that…”

“I want to express my great respect to Chairman Levin and Chairman Rangel and deep appreciation for the improvements that they have achieved in this bill compared to past trade bills. I came to Congress, ran for a Federal office, substantially to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, both at home and abroad. Trade agreements are one of the few, one of the key levers to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law abroad. So I regret that I cannot vote for this bill tonight because it does not put human rights on an equal footing with environmental and labor protections. But I do hope to work with the chairman and people on both sides of the aisle of goodwill to reach a day, some day, when human rights will be included in trade deliberations on an equal footing with environmental and labor protections.”