Orrin Hatch: “I rise in support of my amendment No. 641. As I explained yesterday, this amendment really is about fundamental…”

“I rise in support of my amendment No. 641. As I explained yesterday, this amendment really is about fundamental fairness. The President wants TAA and has held hostage three free-trade agreements to get it. Well, most of us want these free-trade agreements and think it is wrong for TAA to move forward while the FTAs languish. My amendment will ensure that all four legislative ships arrive in port at the same time. It is time for the entire trade agenda to move forward. In August, as he toured the Midwest, the President repeatedly called upon Congress to take the agreements up ``right now'' to help create jobs. This hollow call for action typifies the President's approach to the trade agenda. By calling upon Congress to act, he appears to be embracing the agreements and pushing for their quick approval. But, like so many of the President's trade initiatives, his words do not match his deeds. In reality, Congress cannot take up these agreements ``right now.'' President Obama is relying upon a trade law called trade promotion authority to protect each of these agreements from being blocked or amended by Congress. In order to take advantage of this statutory authority, it is not Congress but the President who must take the first step and submit each agreement for consideration. If the President does not submit these agreements, Congress cannot act under the trade promotion authority. The President and his team know this.…”