Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the job market these days is tough. I have heard from countless Rhode Islanders who have worked all their life, but who have lost their jobs and are now struggling to make ends meet. Sadly, many of these jobs have been lost because big companies are taking advantage of cheaper labor overseas. We should take action to stop this pattern, and I have introduced legislation to end tax giveaways to companies that ship jobs overseas that I hope we will pass. In the meantime, we need to do everything we can to help those displaced workers get back on their feet. Therefore, I am pleased that the Senate has acted to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program for American workers who have lost their jobs due to the effects of international trade. TAA benefits are designed to help displaced workers transition back into the job market, and that is precisely what we need during this prolonged period of high unemployment. In my State of Rhode Island, the unemployment rate has been over 10 percent for 30 straight months and currently stands at 10.6 percent. TAA benefits will help advance our economic recovery and get Americans back to work. In the past 2 years, over 1,400 Rhode Islanders have been helped by the job training services provided through, and the readjustment allowances have offered those workers a modest bridge until they can get back on their feet.…”