[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           FAST TRACK DEBATE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Brown] is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I got confirmation yesterday from the 
Embassy of Chile that former Presidential candidate Bob Dole is going 
to represent the Government of Chile against the United States in a 
trade dispute over salmon. The Embassy expressed the hope and 
expectation that former Senator Dole would advise the Chilean 
Government on its political strategy on the fast track debate currently 
underway in the United States Congress.
  I would urge Senator Dole to reconsider his decision. Unfortunately, 
this is business as usual, and it underscores how bad trade agreements 
make their way through Congress. Foreign governments have tremendous 
resources to hire American lobbyists and Washington DC law firms with 
powerful connections. Often these lobbyists are prominent ex-Members of 
Congress, former Senators, and ex-trade officials. But Bob Dole is 
different. He is not just another politician. I am not saying that 
Senator Dole has done anything wrong. He left the Senate in June 1996, 
so he is not bound by the 1-year revolving door laws.

                              {time}  1300

  He is free to represent Chile if he wants. But I am saying that this 
is too much business as usual. Senator Dole is playing on the visitor's 
team, and we want him back on the home team. We want him on America's 
team, not Chile's team. Chile has threatened to take the United States 
to the World Trade Organization if we act to protect our American 
salmon farmers and salmon fishermen.
  What do the American people think when they see Bob Dole working as a 
lobbyist for a foreign government which is suing the U.S. Government? I 
believe there are many American working families, particularly in New 
England, especially in Maine and in the State of Washington and in the 
Pacific Northwest and in the State of Alaska, who will be astounded to 
learn that the same Bob Dole who asked for their support in a 
Presidential election just 10\1/2\ months ago is now trying to beat 
them and take their jobs in the international arena.
  Clearly, this sends the wrong signal to the American people. Clearly, 
that is why I am asking Senator Dole to reconsider his decision.
  We are going to have a tough and vigorous debate over fast track 
legislation in the House of Representatives. There are many of us, 
especially on the Democratic side, who are adamantly opposed to fast 
track without labor and environmental provisions and safeguards. We 
know we have a tough fight on our hands. We want to keep focused on the 
issues: jobs in America, environmental protection, food safety, worker 
and labor provisions, truck safety. We are going to take our case to 
the American people.
  Senator Dole has signed on to help Chile with its political strategy 
for fast track in the U.S. Congress. This is a perfect example of how 
things like fast track get approved, even when the American people are 
so adamantly against them.

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