Glenn English: “during the last 2 weeks, I have introduced the House to my Standard Trade Negotiating Authority Act that I have…”

“during the last 2 weeks, I have introduced the House to my Standard Trade Negotiating Authority Act that I have introduced which in my view offers a new approach to trade promotion authority. I have highlighted the portion of the bill which provides for a congressional preauthorization process, increasing accountability and transparency in trade policy. Beyond that, H.R. 1446 allows for full and appropriate consideration of labor and environmental issues as important trade agreements are negotiated. We know that not every trade agreement raises blue and green concerns. For example, labor and environmental provisions are not appropriate to append to financial services or competition policy agreements. However, where serious disparities exist between America and a potential trading partner in the scope or enforcement of workplace protections, labor rights or environmental regulation, so much so that normal social costs become a significant competitive disadvantage in attracting or retaining jobs, under these circumstances, Mr. Speaker, our trade negotiators should be allowed to encompass basic labor and environmental standards as part of an enforceable agreement. Most Americans recognize that some of our trading partners do not give workers the right to strike or the right to organize. Some do not give workers livable working conditions or guarantee workplace safety.”