On the recordDecember 15, 2010
I want to join others in thanking Chairman Tanner, chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, for his leadership and service to our country and our economy through the years. He will be missed. Mr. Speaker, our economy is struggling, and this Congress hasn't done enough to help promote the job creation we so desperately need. Congress needs a new playbook, and this legislation can be the first new play we run. The bipartisan legislation extends the Generalized System of Preferences and the Andean Trade Preferences Act and renews and establishes certain miscellaneous tariff reductions. In doing so, this bill lowers taxes on the products that American manufacturers need to be more competitive. More competitive U.S. manufacturers means more jobs for American workers. America's farmers will benefit from this legislation as well, because it will help hold down the cost of fertilizers and pesticides. More importantly, American families will benefit from this legislation. In fact, American families will see double benefits. Not only will it help promote job creation, it will lower costs for consumers. At a time when so many families are struggling to get by, lower taxes on these products can help American families make ends meet. Expert analysis has demonstrated how these provisions will support American jobs. For example, the miscellaneous tariffs legislation could support as many as 90,000 U.S. jobs.
