Sherrod Brown: “this amendment is based on a simple, commonsense idea: it is easier to avoid an iceberg if you see the iceberg coming.…”

“this amendment is based on a simple, commonsense idea: it is easier to avoid an iceberg if you see the iceberg coming. We didn't see the UAE ports deal coming. We didn't see the Chinese effort to acquire UNOCAL coming. We didn't see the Bahamas nuclear security outsourcing contract coming. These business deals all raise serious homeland security concerns, but the bigger homeland security issue may be free trade agreements. Trade agreements open our markets to be sure, as they should, but they also open our ports, our infrastructure, and our transportation lines. The United States Trade Representative recently concluded free trade agreements with Peru and with Colombia. Peru is home to two groups listed by the State Department as foreign terrorist organizations. Colombia is home to three groups listed by the State Department as foreign terrorist organizations. Yet U.S. law does not require any systematic review of security issues raised by these or any other free trade agreements. It doesn't have to be that way. We need not simply vote for a trade agreement and then keep our fingers crossed hoping that there are no security concerns around it or attached to it. My amendment, the Trade Related American National Security Enhancement and Accountability Amendment, offers a responsible alternative. It simply reduces the Department of Homeland Security Management and Operations funding by $500,000 then increases it by the same amount.…”