The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S2818-S2819 on May 13, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, last week we passed an important bill that protected the rights of the American people. It said the people in Congress have a right to be involved in an agreement the President negotiates on Iran's nuclear program. Well, that was an important piece of legislation, and I was glad to see it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The bill on trade promotion authority, which we have been talking about this week, is also very important. This bill is about U.S. trade with other countries and the proper role Congress should play in that. It is also very much about America's future, and that is why Republicans are so committed to this piece of legislation.
The problem is Senate Democrats have pulled the rug out from under the American people and the President. They blocked the Senate from even considering this important piece of legislation. This is not the normal story of Democrats v. Republicans or Senator Reid v. Senator McConnell. Oh, no. This is a story about Senator Reid v. President Obama.
America's economy grew by just 0.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. When the Democratic leader orders the Senators on his side of the aisle to block this bill, is he saying the American people should be satisfied with 0.2 percent growth? Is that satisfaction?
If we are going to get America's economy going and growing again, we need to increase opportunities for America's farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers to sell their products overseas.
According to the Commerce Department, 95 percent of the world's customers live outside the United States. That means there are billions of people around the world who want to buy American products, and that means creating jobs for Americans who make those products. It means lower prices for many of the products Americans want to buy at home. It means more money for the American economy, which is good for all of us. Now, all of that comes from more U.S. trade with other countries.
The bill we are debating right now is very important to American families and to the American economy. Trade promotion authority is a valuable tool. It helps make sure there are strong rules that hold other countries accountable for their unfair trade practices. It also helps us forge agreements to tear down the barriers that block American goods from foreign markets. The sooner we renew trade promotion authority, the sooner American families can start reaping the benefits.
It is outrageous Senate Democrats are keeping us from taking this step to help these families all across the country. The benefits of trade are substantial for places such as my home State of Wyoming.
Exports from Wyoming to other countries amounted to almost $2 billion last year--$2 billion. The Wyoming chemical industry alone exported nearly $1 billion worth of material.
One of our most important chemical exports is soda ash, which is a chemical used to make things such as glass and detergents. It is the largest inorganic chemical export in the United States, and it is responsible for thousands of American jobs. Our producers face high tariffs in some countries, and they are competing with China for the customers.
If we pass this bill and follow that up with the kind of trade deals it allows, we could add another $40 million in new soda ash exports, and that means a lot of jobs here at home.
Trade promotion authority helps give American producers a fair chance to compete for business overseas.
In Wyoming, our farmers and ranchers also export beef, lamb, and grain. We export machinery, minerals, and energy from our oil and gas producers. Wyoming's presence in the global marketplace has been increasing, and we as a nation cannot afford to stop that progress now. We need more access to more markets and we need fair competition.
So the question is: Why are the Democrats standing in the way of all of that? Democrats are blocking more than just the money for American workers and our economy. Economic prosperity itself strengthens our Nation and makes it more secure.
Ronald Reagan once said: ``Our national security and economic strength are indivisible.'' He understood that national defense is expensive and that America needs a strong economy to pay for it. Reagan understood that American trade with other countries can help strengthen our military alliances as well. American goods sold overseas provide an American presence all around the world. They are economic boots on the ground.
The Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, said something similar in a speech last month. He said: ``Our military strength ultimately rests on the foundation of our vibrant, unmatched, and growing economy.''
He said the kinds of trade deals this bill would promote are ``as important to me as another aircraft carrier.'' Now, that is the current Secretary of Defense agreeing with what President Ronald Reagan said years ago.
The Defense Secretary also talked about what all of us in the Senate know to be true: If America does not continue to lead in global commerce and does not attract more trading partners, someone else will. More likely than not, that is going to be China.
America needs to step up and start negotiating effective, fair, and enforceable trade agreements or we are going to be allowing China to write the rules for global trade. If that happens, every Senator here knows those rules will not favor American workers and American exports. Senate Democrats know that, and they are still standing in the way of this legislation.
Last year, our exports supported nearly 12 million American jobs. That is an increase of 2 million jobs since 2009. It is great news, but it is not enough.
According to the latest numbers that came out last Friday, there are another 17 million Americans who are either unemployed, are working part time because they cannot find full-time work or have absolutely given up and stopped looking for a job. There are 17 million Americans who are waiting for our economy to really start growing again.
We need to create more stable, long-term jobs for those Americans who have been left behind by the weak economy over the past 6 years. More U.S. trade with other countries can help make that happen. This trade promotion authority bill is the first step toward reaching that goal and Democrats know that. Why then are they fighting so hard to make sure this bill fails? Why are they fighting so hard to block those jobs? This legislation would give the President a clear roadmap--a roadmap to follow while negotiating trade deals. It also ensures that Congress and the American people have a say about whether a deal goes through. That part is extremely important.
I mentioned the fight we just had with the White House to make sure the American people and Congress can review an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program. Well, this bill says right up front that Congress will get to have an up-or-down vote on any trade deals.
This isn't about expanding the powers of the President. I know a lot of Senators have serious concerns about how President Obama has abused his authority in unchecked and unprecedented ways. A lot of Americans have those same concerns. This bill is not just about this President. It is about the next President and the one after that. It is about American workers, American families, and growing the American economy for all of us. It is about making sure America continues to lead and Americans continue to prosper. American exports to other countries are the key to this. This bill on the floor right now can make sure all of that happens, and it makes sure the American people have their say.
It is time for Senate Democrats to call off their destructive fight with the President. It is time for Senate Democrats to stop blocking trade, stop blocking jobs, and stop blocking progress for American families and for our economy.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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