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.
“VOTE ``YES'' FOR THE EXPORTS, JOBS, AND GROWTH ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H10179 on Sept. 11, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
VOTE ``YES'' FOR THE EXPORTS, JOBS, AND GROWTH ACT
(Mr. MANZULLO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on the Exports, Jobs, and Growth Act. This bill is divided into three parts, first the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which helps to ensure against long-term political and commercial risk.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that OPIC will lower the deficit by $600 million over the next 5 years. OPIC is not corporate welfare because companies pay, I will repeat, pay for the services they receive.
Second is the Trade Development Agency. This small 38-employee agency designs in-U.S. specifications into foreign infrastructure projects so American companies can gain valuable contracts overseas.
Finally is the International Trade Administration division of the Commerce Department. Within this division is the United States and Foreign Commercial Service which operates 83 field offices in the United States. They primarily serve small business exporters in the search for export opportunities.
If Members vote against this legislation, it will unilaterally disarm American workers in the global trade war. Our European and Asian competitors spend much more on these programs. It is time to wake up to the imperfect reality of the global trading system and support this legislation. The Clinton administration supports it; business groups support it; labor unions support it. Vote for H.R. 3759.
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