Washington, D.C. – Today, by a vote of 219 to 211 , the U.S. House of Representatives passed, as amended, its own version of the Trade Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314), a bill to give the President Fast-Track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued this statement following his vote against the measure:(Bold emphasis mine)“Trade has a significant impact on the American economy. As a nation, we know that free trade agreements increase our national output and sales to the countries we hold these agreements with. We still hold a trade deficit; we buy more from other countries, than we sell to them. This shortfall threatens our economy. At a time when our economy is barely growing, millions of people remain out of work, and even more have given up all together. 96 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, Congress should be striving to promote and expand our exports globally to correct this problem.”
“Many have sold Trade Promotion Authority, known as fast-track, as the way forward to increase our sales to other nations, helping to drive our economy forward. While I strongly support free trade agreements to decrease our nation’s trade deficit and promote U.S. manufacturing globally – I do not believe the fast-track bill (TPA) today provided the guarantees needed, Pearce stated.”
Pearce continued: “The TPA vote today missed significant principles that need to be included in any such bill, like competitive currency standards, fair trading practices, and including the opinion of the American people. Under the bill today, it will be nearly impossible for one Member, or even one chamber of Congress, to prevent the implementation of a treaty that does not include the principles we all support. The approval or disapproval process within this bill should have further enabled Congress to respond to the calls of the American people once any agreement was completed.”
“Complicating matters, for the next 19 months, the Obama Administration would be at the helm of any trade negotiations. For the past 6 years, this Administration has acted with near reckless disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution. Unfortunately, this is not limited to economic impacts. The Administration has not explained the death of an American Ambassador and 3 other Americans in Benghazi, unilaterally acting on immigration, or massive land grabs in the West. President Obama has shown time and again he is willing to set the rule of law aside to achieve his personal goals.”
“The American people must have faith that Congress will act on their behalf. As written, the fast-track bill does not guarantee that. Ultimately, that is why I could not support this legislation,” Pearce added.
My conservative Republican representative Steve Pearce stood up to Boehner and voted it down, as did the Rats (but for different reasons). For that sin he was booted from the Republican Whip leadership
I cannot believe what Boehner & Co are getting away with. The firing/booting of these fine Reps - who stood against this cr@p sandwich - and FOR the American people, is beyond the pale.
I called Bonehead’s field offices and told them as much....FWIW.
The very thing many on FR have been railing against!