Charles W. Stenholm: “I rise in strong support of fast track legislation. Fast track authority will ensure that the agricultural trade success…”

“I rise in strong support of fast track legislation. Fast track authority will ensure that the agricultural trade success story does not reach an untimely end and that we maintain our position as a leader in the global economy. But it is not the esoteric language of economics and trade ratios that motivate me on this issue. It is people and especially the people of west Texas who I am privileged to represent. My farmers and ranchers are hurting, and so are all the people who have business related to agriculture. In the absence of recent trade progress, my constituents have lost ground and see their incomes decrease by 30 percent. They need a ray of hope that markets will soon open up and allow them to keep and expand jobs and care for their families. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2621 would renew the authority necessary to renegotiate new trade agreements aimed at achieving these objectives. To those who oppose this legislation, that is all we are talking about is sending our negotiators back to the table.”