[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SAY NO TO FAST TRACK

  (Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, those of lesser intellect might question 
the wisdom and efficacy of our trade policy. After all, our deficit 
rose last month. In fact, the $10.4 billion deficit in August was the 
worst in 7 months. We are headed toward a $114 billion budget deficit 
this year, eclipsing last year's record of $111 billion.
  Mr. Speaker, we are headed toward an all-time high deficit with China 
and our deficit with our NAFTA, free-trade partners increased once 
again. There was only one spot on the horizon that looked a little 
dark. We are actually running a surplus, a trade surplus with Central 
and South America. Imagine that. That is against the principles of free 
trade.
  But do not worry, Mr. Speaker. This administration and the Republican 
leaders want to fix that. They want to jam through a fast track trade 
agreement so we can have free trade and the same principles with 
Central and South America that we do with the rest of the world. That 
means trade deficits for the United States, job exports for the United 
States, and disaster for the American workers.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to say no to fast track and let us 
get a real trade policy that makes sense for American workers in this 
country.

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