David Obey: “We do not want our members to be on the alert for compliance problems only to find out that the administration lacks the…”

“We do not want our members to be on the alert for compliance problems only to find out that the administration lacks the resources to bring about enforcement actions on the issues we raise. It is important that the administration be able to act when we see problems. Therefore, I strongly urge you to support the administration's request for $26.6 million in funding for expanded compliance and enforcement, particularly the Commerce Department's Market Access and Compliance Initiative, into which we will be feeding the problems we uncover. This increase in Commerce's Market Access and Compliance funding in the fiscal 2001 budget is the minimum that will translate foreign commitments into more exports for U.S. firms and more high paying job opportunities for Americans. Candidly, we would like to see even more. We need this program to ensure we receive the benefits of China's entry into the WTO. Mr. Chairman, it just seems to me that if this House passed that effort 1 week ago, it, at a minimum, has an obligation to do this and then to follow on with the additional protections suggested by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) down the line.”