Rich Neal: “Let us add another part of that, ``want to,'' because as a free trader here I strongly urge my colleagues today to vote…”

“Let us add another part of that, ``want to,'' because as a free trader here I strongly urge my colleagues today to vote against this particular version of Fast Track Authority. The bill, put together by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) is far superior, and I hope that that version will pass by the end of the hour we have to debate. While being more modern perhaps than their previous offerings, the Republican bill still fails to give adequate voice to the new realities of trade negotiations, that decisions made impact our constituents in many more ways than they used to, because the negotiations no longer simply attempt to lower tariffs or to reduce direct restraints on trade. Hence, the goals the United States should pursue need to be more clearly articulated in any legislation, the issues that we do not always see at the surface in Fast Track Authority. The role of Congress needs to be far more extensive in order to bring about a successful conclusion.”