WASHINGTON, DC - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) today released the following statements after the United States Senate voted to confirm Robert Lighthizer as United States Trade Representative (USTR):
“The Administration’s trade policy has been one of extremes over the past few months," said Ranking Member Neal. “I am hopeful that Ambassador Lighthizer will put us on a more steady course - but also one that will point us toward a new direction in trade policy. We need to reform U.S. trade policy with a renewed focus on the American worker, and I look forward to working with Ambassador Lighthizer to achieve that goal."
“Ambassador Lighthizer has shared my commitment to fundamentally reform U.S. trade policy and I look forward to working with him to overcome resistance to reform, particularly within his own party," said Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Pascrell. “The United States cannot and should not isolate itself from the rest of the world. We need to engage our trading partners, but we must start doing so in a way that better serves American workers and our manufacturing sector by insisting on reciprocity and fair trade. I believe this Administration in particular needs Ambassador Lighthizer’s firm and steady hand."
