Orrin Hatch: “the Senate will shortly vote on cloture on the Hatch substitute amendment, legislation to renew trade promotion…”

“the Senate will shortly vote on cloture on the Hatch substitute amendment, legislation to renew trade promotion authority and trade adjustment assistance. I know some of my colleagues have concerns about the process. Let me say that I also share those concerns. From the very beginning of our discussions over 3 years ago on the renewal of TPA, I have done all I could to listen to all of my colleagues and address their concerns. I first worked with Chairman Baucus to find a way to update TPA in a way that addresses many of the issues that have arisen since 2002, including concerns over labor and the environment. When Senator Wyden became chairman of the Finance Committee, I again went to the negotiating table to try to address many of the transparency and procedural issues he raised, and we again came to a bipartisan compromise. When many of my Senate colleagues said renewal of TAA was a necessary component to passing TPA, I again did my best to meet those concerns, even though I myself have significant reservations about the program. Throughout the Finance Committee consideration, I tried to conduct an open and fair process, which allowed many Members of the committee, even those who opposed TPA, the opportunity to be heard and to have their amendments adopted. As a result, the committee reported out four pieces of trade legislation, all with strong bipartisan support. I will acknowledge that the process on the floor has not gone the way any of us would like.…”