WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding President Obama's State of the Union address:
"The President confidently described the economic recovery and I fully support his focus on middle class economics. We must ensure the benefits of the improving economy flow to middle class families through higher wages and increased opportunity through improvements in child care, paid leave policies and educational opportunities.
"I agree with the President that we need to write the rules of trade and knock down the barriers to U.S. exports around the globe. The Asia-Pacific region is an important one, with the nations engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations representing 40 percent of the world's GDP. There are many vital outstanding issues in TPP whose resolution can affect the households of American families and the ability of American businesses to create jobs. Congress must maintain its role and leverage in the resolution of these issues."
