Annie Kuster: “I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my motion that will instruct…”

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my motion that will instruct conferees to include in the conference report language to combat currency manipulation from the Senate-passed version of H.R. 644. Currency manipulation by foreign governments is one of the greatest challenges we face to creating the type of free and fair trade that will benefit all Americans from top to bottom and help us create more jobs right here at home. I, like so many others, am highly focused on helping our domestic manufacturers grow and create good, strong, middle class jobs. Since taking office, I have made supporting job creation and economic opportunity my number one priority, and our State's manufacturers play an integral role in that conversation. Unfortunately, U.S. manufacturers already face so many challenges that make it more difficult to compete with foreign companies. From the lower cost of labor to limited environmental protections, our manufacturers must compete with foreign policies that lead to an uneven playing field. Unfair currency manipulation makes that competition even more difficult. Currency manipulation is when governments use monetary policy to devalue their currency, which makes their exports cheaper and foreign imports more expensive. The good news is that we have the most talented workers and the most innovative companies in the world, and we can compete and win despite these challenges.…”