Rob Portman: “I do want to stand here to support the legislation... It is a good bill. It is exactly the right approach to take in…”

“I do want to stand here to support the legislation... It is a good bill. It is exactly the right approach to take in terms of trade because it is going to benefit the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. Many nations in sub-Saharan Africa are beginning to implement democratic reforms... For too long, in my view, we have relied simply on foreign assistance... This is a much better approach. Through this legislation today we have got an opportunity to assist this changing region in a much better way, and that is through commerce. The legislation allows the U.S. to take a very positive role in encouraging an economic and political renaissance really throughout sub-Saharan Africa, it establishes a free trade area to serve as a catalyst for increasing trade and for increasing private-sector development in the region. It also helps the U.S. facilitate these market-led economic reforms in 48 countries in this region.”