Joseph Knollenberg: “the House is scheduled to vote this week on a matter essential to the economic vitality of this country, a vote to…”

“the House is scheduled to vote this week on a matter essential to the economic vitality of this country, a vote to extend fast track trade negotiating authority to the President. Fast track is a crucial partnership between the President and Congress. My colleagues will remember that Presidents Nixon, Carter, Reagan, and Bush all used this authority to negotiate open markets with foreign governments in good faith. The United States has benefited from these negotiations. Since fast track expired in 1994, foreign governments have refused to enter into trade negotiations with the United States. These countries continue to open trade and investments for their own companies and their own workers, while retaining barriers against U.S. exports. Without fast track, we risk being left behind. It does not force Congress to give up its power to oversee the negotiations. Congress simply agrees to vote on a completed trade agreement without any changes. Fast track is critical to this country, to the U.S. leadership in the global economy. Support the extension of fast track.”