On the recordDecember 11, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan for his graciousness. I rise in support of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. It is a significant improvement over the original Customs bill, which I opposed. There are human trafficking reporting requirements that have been added. There is currency language that expands U.S. action on currency manipulation. It codifies the ENFORCE Act, some of the most strict enforcement provisions ever on trade by U.S. legislation. It creates an interagency trade enforcement center. It creates a trade enforcement trust fund. It provides protections for small businesses and bans child and forced labor. I would prefer to see stronger proenvironmental provisions, but this enforcement bill, trade enforcement bill is a significant move forward. I am pleased to support the underlying legislation and the conference report. I thank all who contributed to it.
