On the recordJune 2, 2015
I share my colleague Mr. McClintock's feeling about programs that are unauthorized and share his passion for ensuring we don't spend money we don't have. But as the gentleman from Maine was just out here a moment ago, Mr. Poliquin has a perfect example of one of the really valid and very important functions of the ITA, and that is to identify subsidies that are unfair, that imbalance our trade with a foreign nation. As he pointed out, the Canadian Government is unfairly subsidizing a paper mill right directly across the border from his constituents in Madison, Maine, and caused the furloughing of workers at the Madison paper mill. And as I just pledged to Mr. Poliquin, I want to make sure that ITA is doing its job when it comes to identifying and enacting some measures to counterbalance unfair trade practices like that. I would agree with my friend from California: when it comes to promoting American business, that is the job of the Chamber of Commerce; when it comes to making sure that American businesses get the word out and shares information, that is something American businesses ought to do; but when it comes to unfair subsidies given by foreign governments to their businesses that cause American workers to lose their jobs, that is exactly what the ITA is designed to do. We need trade enforcement, we need countervailing duties, and we need export assistance. The amendment which the gentleman from California has offered looks to be about a 70 percent cut.…
