Erik Paulsen: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Let me just thank the chairman for his leadership not only on the Rules Committee but…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Let me just thank the chairman for his leadership not only on the Rules Committee but for leading the bipartisan free-trade caucus and leading that effort in knowing and understanding the value of trade and the value of exports. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue to Members. It is good to take time on the floor to talk about this because international trade, I will tell you, is a vital part of my economy, to Minnesota's Third Congressional District. The chairman just alluded to that. Statewide in Minnesota, global trade supports almost 750,000 jobs. That is a pretty big number. It is all about exports. It is about selling where 95 percent of the world's consumers are living outside of the United States. Despite our successful economic relationships with a lot of countries around the world--we have good agreements with Korea and Colombia and Panama--there is no doubt that a lot more can be done now. It really begins with passing this bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act, which will renew and update Trade Promotion Authority. Why is that important? It is important so we can make headway and get forward momentum on the TPP and the TTIP negotiations. This ensures that we will accomplish several very, very important goals as a part of increasing transparency in trade negotiations and of empowering Congress, of empowering ourselves. This is why there is bipartisan support.…”