Byron Dorgan: “We haven't resolved who is going to stand on the floor of the Senate this morning and support our farmers and ranchers…”

“We haven't resolved who is going to stand on the floor of the Senate this morning and support our farmers and ranchers who produce that beef. That is the question--not what we are eating for dinner. Who is going to stand for the farmers and ranchers on this issue? It took a nanosecond to hear that we are protectionist this morning. Every thoughtful discussion turns into a thoughtless discussion in a nanosecond around here when it deals with trade, because instantly the subject of protection comes up and the word 'protectionism' is used. God forbid that someone should be accused in this Chamber of the Senate of standing up to protect the economic interests of this country. It happens precious few times. But let me be somebody who says, if that is the charge, I plead guilty. I want to protect our economic interests. I don't want to build walls around this country. I believe expanded trade is helpful. But I also want to stand up for the economic interest of this country when it is at stake. Let us stop walking hat in hand to the Japanese and asking for favors. Last year, they had a $74 billion trade surplus with us. Because we had one Canadian cow found in the State of Washington with BSE, the Japanese don't want to eat American beef.”