Political Quotes

“They need training. That's the other critical piece of these trade agreements that I want to emphasize. For the first time--not the first time, actually we did it in Peru-- thanks, actually, to the leadership of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) and Mr. Rangel and others, we have enforceable workers' rights in all three of these agreements. There have been justifiable criticisms, for instance, in Colombia of the ability of workers that organize and collectively bargain. But this agreement will give us the enforceable ability to make sure that they do. If Colombia or any one of these countries doesn't live up to the ILO standards and requirements, this agreement now gives us the ability to use trade sanctions to make sure that they do. That is an incredibly important step forward to protect the workers in this country. It needs to work together, access to overseas markets, to trade agreements and adequate protections for our workers so that they can compete in that environment with TSA, with the workers' rights provisions in these trade agreements. I believe that all three trade agreements and this TAA bill do this. I thank the Ways and Means Committee, both Republican and Democrat, for their work in making this happen. Mr. McDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) {time} 1710”