[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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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