Political Quotes

“yesterday, I voted in opposition to cloture on fast-track trade promotion authority. This was a difficult vote for me. Maryland is pulled in two directions on this issue. On one side Maryland's agricultural industries, such as poultry on the Eastern Shore and the Port of Baltimore, where they believe this trade deal will bring economic benefits for the State. On the other side, I have constituents in Dundalk who don't have a steel industry anymore and wonder why Congress didn't do more to protect them from the effects of trade. Let me be very clear on one point. I support trade. I encourage trade. Trade is very important to my State. Maryland workers can compete successfully in a global marketplace if they are given a level playing field. That is why I support expansion of fair trade. In the past, I have supported bilateral trade agreements. We have leverage in those situations and can get strong, enforceable labor and environmental provisions into those agreements to improve living standards and stop child labor in sweatshops. But I have always been suspicious of multilateral agreements like NAFTA. I have seen too many of these big deals fail to deliver the promises of new jobs and businesses. Why is the role of Congress so important? To make sure the American people get a good deal. I am ready to support trade agreements that are good for America, agreements that are good for workers and good for the environment.…”