Political Quotes

“Mr. President, before I close, I would like to take a moment to talk about what I think is a bright spot for our economy, and that is bipartisan trade promotion authority. Previous free- and fair- trade agreements have been a boon to the economy, expanding opportunities for American workers and giving American farmers, such as many of those I represent in South Dakota, and manufacturers access to new markets for their goods. Nearly every one of those trade agreements was negotiated and enacted using trade promotion authority. The idea behind trade promotion authority is very simple: Congress sets negotiating priorities for the administration and requires the administration to consult with Congress during that negotiating process. In return, Congress promises a simple up-or-down vote on the legislation instead of a lengthy amendment process that could leave the final agreement looking nothing like what was negotiated. That up-or- down vote is the key. That is what gives our trading partners the confidence to put their best offers on the table, which allows for a successful conclusion of negotiations. Trade promotion authority expired in 2007. Republicans have been trying to get it reauthorized ever since. Currently, the administration is negotiating two key trade agreements--the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the United States-European Union trade agreement--that are unlikely to be concluded in the near future unless trade promotion authority is finally renewed.…”