Political Quotes

“I rise in support of passage of H.R. 1295, the Trade Preferences Extension Act, and I want to thank Chairman Ryan and Chairman Tiberi for their hard work and dedication in getting this important piece of legislation to the floor. This bill contains many beneficial trade programs that have furthered our Nation's foreign policy and national security goals. Specifically, this bill renews the Generalized System of Preferences program and includes legislation that I authored, along with Mr. Smith of Nebraska, on a commonsense and helpful update to the GSP program. The GSP program helps many designated beneficiary developing countries around the world. Stable countries with employed and productive citizens lead to a safe global environment that deters wars, terrorist groups, and violent uprisings and further allows our allies to develop their own economies, health care, and educational systems. The GSP UPDATE, which would add travel goods to the list of items eligible for review, would specifically benefit our ally the Philippines, which has suffered multiple devastating weather events. It will also help Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in the world. Goods are not eligible for the GSP program if they are ``import sensitive'' or compete with U.S. goods. This is decided by the International Trade Commission. Therefore, having travel and luggage items placed on the GSP-eligible list does not automatically give them preferential trade status.…”