Max Baucus: “This is about the Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits. Basically, at this time in our history, with a recession going…”

“This is about the Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits. Basically, at this time in our history, with a recession going on, with unemployment, it is extremely important that American workers who lose jobs on account of trade be given a break and they get some benefits, including health benefits. The objection, I have been told, is basically because there are some Senators who want to tie this amendment--the Trade Adjustment Assistance amendment--to either passage of or a date certain on which we would take up the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. I think that is not a good thing to do, and the reason is, the more the Colombia Free Trade Agreement is tied to Trade Adjustment Assistance, the more it will engender opposition to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. I personally favor the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and I also very respectfully suggest that the circumstances under which that agreement could be brought up are a lot better if Trade Adjustment Assistance is already passed and into law because that will enable more people in the country, particularly folks who are concerned about being potentially laid off, to have some comfort here with the Trade Adjustment Assistance.”