On the recordJune 25, 2015
I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I want to begin this discussion by saying I have the utmost respect for the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). I have worked with him on other issues where we have agreed. That is not the case today. I also know that there will be Members of the majority and Members of the minority that have a different opinion than I do on this matter, and it does not mean I have less respect for them; it just means we have a difference of agreement on this one bill. Now, when I first met my wife, I was an ironworker. I worked as an ironworker for 20 years. Then I went to law school and became an attorney. Then I ran for office and became a politician. My wife says it has been one disappointment after another. When I was an ironworker, I had an opportunity to work at the General Motors facility, the auto plant in Framingham, Massachusetts. That was just before they made a decision to close that plant, close a couple in Michigan, and move them over the border to Mexico. I have seen the effect that that has had on local communities where that has happened. I oppose this bill because I want a stronger America. That is why I oppose this bill. Our trade agreements negotiated under fast track have had a continual pattern of exporting American jobs overseas. That is just the fact of the matter. Now, you might be surprised that a former union president, a Democrat, an ironworker would oppose a bill.…
