Political Quotes

“I strongly support the agreement that is before us. Jordan is a friend of the United States in the Middle East. They are moving forward in opening direct trade between their country and Israel, and they are truly our ally in seeking peace in the Middle East and in fighting terrorist activities. I also support this agreement because it is a good agreement. It is a good agreement from the point of view of the United States. We already have a Free Trade Agreement with Israel. This Free Trade Agreement will open up opportunities for American producers and manufacturers. And we have made progress, as the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) has pointed out, on labor and environment; that is, removing barriers to fair trade because of the standards of other countries being far below the standards here in the United States. That works to the disadvantage of U.S. manufacturers and producers. We made progress in this agreement because Jordan agreed to enforce its own laws in the trade agreement. What is wrong with that? Now, Mr. Speaker, I must tell my colleagues, I am concerned about the letters that were exchanged between Jordan and the United States that the distinguished Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means put in the Record. These letters were requested by the United States. Make no mistake about it, this was not Jordan's idea, this was the United States' idea.”