Charles Rangel: “I sharply disagree with the statement made by the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means that this bill is just a…”

“I sharply disagree with the statement made by the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means that this bill is just a little short of being perfect. I think we have a very, very long way to go to get our House and to get our committee back to the traditional concept that trade bills ought to be done in a bipartisan way. There are just some things that are so important that many of us believe that we ought to set aside the strong objections that we have because it would be in the best interests of trade, the best interests of the people in the Andean countries, and fulfill the commitments that the American people have to our friends in this area. But I just wonder whether it is just old-fashioned to have bills and to have hearings on these bills, to have Members be able to share their concern about the economic impact that would result as a result of passing legislation. I do not think we should have Republican bills and Democratic bills. And I do not think there is anyone in this House that objects to having trade, because it is just abundantly clear that trade is good for the United States.”