Gibbs gives statement on passage of trade bills
WASHINGTON, DC – Following the passage of several trade-related bills, Congressman Bob Gibbs released the following statement:
“Trade Promotion Authority provides critical Congressional oversight of trade negotiations and ensures transparency by requiring the text of negotiations be made public for 60 days before it is voted on. TPA does not give the President any new powers, but gives Congress a seat at the table. With TPA, any trade deal that American trade representatives negotiate has to come to Congress for an up or down vote.
“The United States cannot stand on the sidelines while China re-writes the rules of global trade. Evidence shows that the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus for nations with which we have free trade agreements. When free trade is conducted on a fair and level playing field, American companies benefit. More importantly, American workers benefit.
“We also passed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, also known as the customs bill. An important provision of this bill will give industries, like the steel industry, a greater ability to protect American jobs from foreign nations engaging in unfair trade practices. The customs bill also prevents the Administration from changing immigration laws through a trade agreement.
“Those who want transparency are right. Which is why TPA, that opens the process to public light and makes Congress an active partner in shaping trade agreements, is so important.”
Category: Government
