Political Quotes

“in recent weeks U.S. Trade Rep Bob Zoellick has attempted to link fast track legislation to antiterrorism efforts. Some say he has questioned the patriotism of those of us who opposed fast track by pointing out that we are indifferent to terrorism, saying we do not share American values if we do not support fast track, because that is the way, he says, to combat terrorism around the world. Fast track does not embody, Mr. Speaker, those American values that our U.S. trade rep has indicated. Fast track so often means weaker environmental standards. It means dealing with countries without free elections. It means dealing with wealthy families who usurp worker rights, oppress people in developing countries, and ultimately take American jobs. Supporters of fast track argue that the U.S. is being left behind. They tell us we need fast track to increase American exports and to increase new jobs for American workers. But our history of flawed trade agreements has led to a trade deficit with the rest of the world that has surged to a record $369 billion. The 2000 trade deficit is 39 percent higher than the previous record set in 1999. The Department of Labor has reported that the North American Free Trade Agreement alone has been responsible for the loss of 300,000 jobs in this country.”