Patty Murray: “I rise today with Senators Craig, Cleland, Gordon Smith, Cantwell, Wyden and Boxer to reintroduce the Agricultural…”

“I rise today with Senators Craig, Cleland, Gordon Smith, Cantwell, Wyden and Boxer to reintroduce the Agricultural Market Access and Development Act of 2001. Trade is the lifeblood of Washington state's economy. From aerospace to software to agriculture, one out of every three jobs in my state is trade-related. Without access to markets around the world, Washington state's economy cannot function. The legislation I am introducing today would open and expand markets for U.S. agricultural exports. It would help rural economies. It would create jobs in regions that need them the most. In the 106th Congress, we focused our attention on opening markets to American goods and services. I strongly supported efforts to pass permanent normal trade relations for China, to reform our ineffective unilateral sanctions policies, and to create new trade relationships with Africa and the Caribbean Basin. Our nation's producers generally supported these efforts, but their enthusiasm for new trade agreements is waning. It's difficult for our farmers and ranchers to endorse new trade agreements when our trade partners heavily subsidize their producers. It's difficult for farmers and ranchers to get excited about potential new markets when federal agencies give a green light to imports from nations that won't let our products in.”