Political Quotes

“Madam President, the Senate will soon vote on the nomination of Maria Pagan to serve as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and our envoy to the World Trade Organization in Geneva. This vote has been a long time coming; and in a moment, I am going to talk about Ms. Pagan's extensive qualifications and her long experience. But, first, Madam President and colleagues, there is a new urgency today for the Senate to confirm Ms. Pagan with strong bipartisan support. The Russians' inhuman behavior means that they have forfeited the right to enjoy the fruits of the post-World War II international order. The World Trade Organization is one of the key venues where the United States and our economic allies must hold Russia accountable for its illegal and unjustifiable war in Ukraine. It means the United States and our economic allies basically have to go to the World Trade Organization and tell Russia: Go fly a kite. Now, here in the Congress, as the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I am working with the ranking member, Senator Mike Crapo; House Ways and Means Chairman Richie Neal; and Ranking Member Kevin Brady on legislation that would revoke Russia's permanent normal trade status with the United States. This is part of suspending Russia's benefits at the World Trade Organization and would mean Russia's exports to the United States would immediately be hit with significant tariffs. Our country has led the effort to ratchet up sanctions against Russia to levels nobody has seen.…”