Political Quotes

“I thank Senator Wyden. He is so principled, and I know his heart is right on all these issues. But there are some disagreements. I do think the Senator gives a little more time between the actual agreement being adopted and its passage, which is preferable. But the truth is that none of our fast-track agreements have ever been defeated. There seems to be a majority in both Houses that would vote for that, and once it is here, it is up or down. There is no other deal. We can't have any amendments and little input from rank-and-file Senators, although the Finance Committee chairman and a few others get some enhanced powers under this agreement--not the average Senator. So it is not the kind of--if we pass the fast-track, I think with 60 votes, I think we are on a path to adopt an agreement, if history is true. I noticed again my colleague said it would enhance salaries in export job areas. That might be so. Hopefully, we would have some increase in exports. In Korea, we had about a $1 billion increase or a little less, instead of 10. But it was a little increase. So maybe that would help a few jobs and a few salaries. But what about the others, the imports that are coming in, imports that are coming in competing with American manufacturing in whole massive areas of the economy? Isn't that likely to close some factories? Isn't it likely to put downward pressure on wages? I think so.…”