Political Quotes

“I rise today to discuss the Senate's upcoming trade agenda and its impact on Pennsylvania workers and Pennsylvania jobs. Like so many of our States, Pennsylvania has always played a critically important role in America's manufacturing and commercial heritage. The coal and waterways of our State helped make the Commonwealth legendary for steelmaking and helped turn the United States into an industrial powerhouse. During its heyday, 60 percent of the domestic steel production in the United States came from Pennsylvania. During World War II, almost one-third of the Nation's steel came from Pennsylvania, which was a full 20 percent of global production at the time. The then-Governor of Pennsylvania, Arthur James, put it this way: ``Pennsylvania was truly the arsenal of democracy and the arsenal of America.'' Given its dominance in the steel industry, it is no surprise that the Commonwealth was sixth in the Nation in total war production during the Second World War, leading in shipbuilding and munitions production. More money was spent to expand production capacity in Pennsylvania than in any other State during the war. We know at the time it did not stop there. It did not stop at the end of the war. After the war was over, these manufacturing facilities were used to make American products and fuel the growth of a thriving middle class. Today, so many of these plants have gone away, due in part to our failed trade policies.…”