On the recordFebruary 5, 2014
And my colleagues, too many middle class Americans are out of work or worried about losing their job, and the House has passed dozens of bills to help them. More are in the works as we speak, including important legislation that fosters more trade and opportunities for growth. In Washington, it is often referred to as TPA, trade promotion authority. But around the country from our farms to our factories, this means jobs. It means making it easier for our workers--including the 1.4 million in Ohio whose jobs depend on trade--to be able to compete with China and the world's growing economies. This initiative has support from Members of both parties, including President Obama himself. Unfortunately, like many of our jobs bills, his party's leaders in the Senate are standing in the way. The President needs to use his bully pulpit as only an American President can and change their minds. He can do that today when he addresses Senate Democrats. I certainly hope and expect he will help us move this bill forward on behalf of American workers. Otherwise, all the talk about a ``year of action'' would appear to be just another broken promise. ____________________
