David Thomas: “let me say, first, I am pleased we are able to move forward. We are working on a bill that has to do with trade, one in…”

“let me say, first, I am pleased we are able to move forward. We are working on a bill that has to do with trade, one in which we are under the pressure from the WTO to get finished in a certain length of time or it is going to be very expensive. So I am glad we are moving forward. I thank the Senator from Connecticut for working to find an agreement to get this moving forward. We all care about lost jobs. Certainly the administration cares deeply about jobs, despite some of the remarks that have been made on the floor. Losing a job is painful. It is an awful experience. Jobs are the foundation of the American dream. Jobs give people dignity and the hope of a better tomorrow. It is true jobs are how people provide for their families and for their children, for education, and the well-being of their loved ones. This President cares deeply about jobs. Economic growth is, of course, the answer. The question is, How do we create more jobs? The answer is clear. We need a growing economy. A growing and expanding economy is the key to more jobs. That is why the President's tax cuts are so important. They have made the American economy much stronger. The economy is now growing and expanding. We have had a GDP growth rate of 8.2 in the third quarter of last year, 4.1 in the fourth quarter, and 3.1 for 2003. Job training and job skills are key. We are living in a dynamic economy, and that is good. It creates higher wages and higher standards of living.”