Political Quotes

“I thank Mr. Cardin and I appreciate this time. I wanted to come and speak on this because I voted against this agreement on the Ways and Means Committee when it was reported out a couple, 3 weeks ago. I did so out of sheer frustration and exasperation with the lack of democratic process in the committee as it relates to these agreements. Those of us who philosophically want to support agreement, engagement, with the rest of the world have had a very, very difficult time in the committee. And to call the committee, the way it has been run recently in some of these, the democratic process is really an abomination of that word. But beyond that, regardless of one's personal feelings, regardless of how one views the way these bills have come to the floor from that committee, one has to determine for one's self what is in the best interests of the United States of America. I have determined because history, if history teaches anything, it teaches one that engagement is better than nonengagement, and economic partners eventually become political and military partners. So the geopolitical aspects of these trade agreements, while they are not that big in scheme of things with respect to trade itself, are very huge, and some of these other speakers have alluded to that, in terms of our role in the world and fostering all the things and values we hold dear.…”