Jay Rockefeller: “I rise today to lend my full support to the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act…”

“I rise today to lend my full support to the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act of 2001, which I introduced today along with Senators Bingaman, Baucus, and Daschle. I particularly want to congratulate Senator Bingaman on all the hard work and dedication that he has shown on this issue over the past several months in crafting this piece of legislation, which is so critical to American workers and their families. Improving and expanding TAA is a priority for us, and we hope it will become a priority for Congress and for the President as well. This bill is not just a reauthorization but an improvement to our current TAA program--and not a moment too soon. Earlier this week, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve told us our economic outlook remains troubling. We know that means there will be more and more workers and families who will need to turn to TAA for help to rebuild their futures. In addition to reauthorizing TAA for an additional five years, this bill makes substantial improvements to the TAA program as a whole.”