Bill Archer: “Mr. Chairman, I say to my fellow Members that this debate today is likely the most important debate that we will make…”

“Mr. Chairman, I say to my fellow Members that this debate today is likely the most important debate that we will make, not only in this Congress, perhaps in our entire careers. I rise in strong and full support of this legislation which grants normal trading relations to China and helps to open its borders to the enterprising superiority of American workers, American businesses, and American farmers. This historic legislation serves two critical American interests: first, it creates potentially hundreds of thousands of new higher-paying jobs for American workers; second, it helps our children and our grandchildren to live in a more peaceful world and enhance our national security. Human rights, so important to us Americans, will be helped because we know from the testimony of many Chinese dissidents that continuing normal trade with China is a plus. The environment is important, and this legislation will help improve environmental protection. This vote will be the most important vote that we as Members of this House will cast, as I said, in this Congress and perhaps in our congressional careers.”