On the recordMay 12, 2015
I want to congratulate the chairman of the Finance Committee, who I know has labored long and hard to get this bill where it is today. I know how disappointed he is at the filibuster by our friends across the aisle on the President's No. 1 domestic priority. I have heard it said that the U.S. economy is just one or two steps away--a few policy choices away--from awakening that slumbering giant known as the U.S. economy and growing it for the benefit of all Americans. Unfortunately, the filibuster that occurred today is a backwards step. I know there are some people that say to Republicans: Why would you want to work with President Obama? The truth of the matter is that is what we are here for, if we agree on the principle. We are not here to agree with him just to agree with him. As a matter of fact, sometimes it is easier to go back home and say: Well, I disagreed with the President. But this is one area where the President of the United States is absolutely correct. We are here not to do what he wants us to do, but we are here to do what our constituents--what the American people--want us to do. What they want is the better jobs, the improved wages, the sort of robust economic growth that comes along with trade agreements. It has been said numerous times, but I will say it again: 95 percent of the world lies out beyond our borders; 80 percent of the purchasing power in the world lies beyond the borders of the United States.…
Source
govinfo.gov




