Political Quotes

“this motion would establish an inspector general at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. As we have seen over the past several years, inspectors general are a key way that Congress conducts oversight over our Federal Government. Through these independent watchdogs, we prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, increasing transparency while ensuring Federal Agencies remain accountable to the American people. It is a model that most of the Federal bureaucracy has adopted because it works. When it comes to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, it remains an outlier--one of the only Cabinet-level Agencies without this key oversight tool. An Agency led by a Senate-confirmed appointee, tasked with carrying out decisions affecting every worker, business, and consumer in this country, is currently operating without one of the most effective guardrails we have against overreach. Just a few years ago, Congress saw how two negotiators for USMCA were using their positions to solicit consulting work on the regulations they had written. We saw how the Agency's opaque tariff exclusion process was beset by inconsistent decision making and political favoritism. This is an amendment that has been sponsored by over 53 Senators, Republicans and Democrats alike. It passed in USICA originally with a 91-to-4 vote. I urge my colleagues to support it. I am happy to take a voice vote. Vote on Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER.…”