On the recordFebruary 11, 2015
I do appreciate the opportunity to utilize the time allotted to the Democrats in the House to speak to the issue of trade. There are many who see this issue as an important issue. Others are now beginning to understand some of the dynamics as they relate to free trade versus fair trade and just what the dynamics of some of the last decades were, as recent past history has indicated, as they relate to American jobs and the American economy. This will be a good opportunity for us to address in fuller terms the issues of trade that we believe need to be addressed significantly well before we go forward with these negotiated contracts that could cause undesirable results, rather than those for which we all, I would believe, want to work--the opportunity to provide for individuals to tether the American Dream, to be able to go forth with dignity, to assume jobs that allow them to express their skills and God-given talents, and to be able to have that soulfulness of earning a paycheck. We want to focus on those issues here this evening. There are many who would suggest that a fast track is of great concern. Fast track is that circumventing of the responsibilities of Congress--the ability of Congress--to get more in depth with the proposed agreement, to understand fully what those impacts of the agreements might be on their local economy, on their State economy, and certainly on the national scene. It is important for us, I believe, to invest ourselves as a House.…
