Max Baucus: “I spoke yesterday about the Morocco free-trade agreement and its benefits for both the United States and Morocco. I hope…”

“I spoke yesterday about the Morocco free-trade agreement and its benefits for both the United States and Morocco. I hope and expect that when we vote on the Morocco implementing bill, the bill will pass by an overwhelming margin. That is a fitting way to cap a busy month on trade and head into the summer recess. As I look back at the accomplishments on trade since the beginning of the year, I am pleased at how much we have done. It would be considered a full plate in any year, but in an election year, it is especially gratifying to have achieved so much. We passed the JOBS Bill, a complex tax measure that will help create jobs in America and bring the United States into compliance with the WTO. That bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly with 92 votes. We extended and enhanced an important trade and development program for Africa--the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act through a unanimous vote. We created a different trade and development program for Haiti, also through a unanimous vote. And of course, just last week, we passed the Australia free-trade agreement implementing bill with 80 votes. It has been a busy year. I am heartened by the strong votes all these measures attracted. No victory is ever easy. They are hard fought by people working every day to do the right thing. I want to congratulate Senator Grassley and his staff for their leadership, and Ambassador Zoellick and his excellent negotiating team for all their hard work.”