[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FAST TRACK IS CRITICAL TO THIS COUNTRY

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, the House is scheduled to vote this 
week on a matter essential to the economic vitality of this country, a 
vote to extend fast track trade negotiating authority to the President. 
Fast track is a crucial partnership between the President and Congress. 
My colleagues will remember that Presidents Nixon, Carter, Reagan, and 
Bush all used this authority to negotiate open markets with foreign 
governments in good faith.
  The United States has benefited from these negotiations. Since fast 
track expired in 1994, foreign governments have refused to enter into 
trade negotiations with the United States. These countries continue to 
open trade and investments for their own companies and their own 
workers, while retaining barriers against U.S. exports.
  Without fast track, we risk being left behind. It does not force 
Congress to give up its power to oversee the negotiations. Congress 
simply agrees to vote on a completed trade agreement without any 
changes. Fast track is critical to this country, to the U.S. leadership 
in the global economy. Support the extension of fast track.

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