On the recordOctober 13, 2011
Madam Speaker, China's policy of undervaluing its currency is undercutting American manufacturing and American jobs by giving China an artificial and unfair advantage. In this time of economic uncertainty and high employment, we need to take direct, commonsense action to protect the American worker from unfair Chinese trade practices. The Senate has passed a bill to investigate currency cheating by China and other countries and to impose tariffs if they are found guilty. Yesterday, Democrats attempted to offer a similar bill, which has 61 Republican cosponsors, but 235 Republicans voted against it. Moreover, House Republican leaders have indicated the Senate bill will never see the light of day if they have their way. Speaker Boehner says the fair trade bill with China is ``dangerous.'' The American people don't think there is anything dangerous about protecting American workers from schemes that burden our exports, subsidize their imports, and kill jobs. Republican leadership should bring the China currency and fair trade bill to the floor so the House can give it the bipartisan vote it deserves. ____________________
