David Thomas: “Well, gee, Mr. Speaker, I guess I am a little bit confused. Apparently the gentleman from Washington thinks that…”

“Well, gee, Mr. Speaker, I guess I am a little bit confused. Apparently the gentleman from Washington thinks that President Bush negotiated this agreement. Perhaps I should shock him into reality and indicate that the proper response on this floor should have been shame on you. Shame on your administration in trying to push your domestic trade agenda by making an offer to Jordan you knew they could not refuse. What kind of diplomatic relationship is that? The mistake of using Jordan as a pawn has partially been corrected by the exchange of letters. And so when my colleague stands up here and says piously, gee, we are trying to reverse an agreement in which we just want some standards for labor and the environment, I would note, as I said at the very beginning, there is nothing wrong with that. We need to move in that direction. Get over it. The previous administration tried to sneak an agreement through, and it was not done. Now, let us sit down and work together and talk about not using antiquated sanctions in resolving these new issues. The bottom line is this, Mr. Speaker. This agreement is on the suspension calendar. We all agree that our friend and ally is long overdue this recognition. Let us vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2603.”