On the recordFebruary 10, 2011
I want to make some brief comments about something very important for workers and businesses and international trade. In December, just before the 111th Congress adjourned, it extended two critical trade programs which Senator Casey and I were on the Senate floor working on. First, we extended the Andean Trade Preferences Act, thanks in part to Senator McCain of Arizona. It provides assistance to Latin American countries and also helps American businesses and workers by granting access to new inputs and products. Second, critically important to our two States, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and I know to the Presiding Officer's State of Minnesota, we extended trade adjustment assistance. That is the least we can do when this Congress passes wrong-headed trade agreements.
