[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10584-H10585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A PROPER BALANCE OF EXPANDED TRADE AND PRESERVATION OF AMERICAN VALUES

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of President Clinton's 
decision to withdraw fast-track legislation,

[[Page H10585]]

the time has come to forge a new policy that provides direct access for 
labor, environmental health, and safety concerns to be addressed in 
negotiating future trade agreements.
  Those of us who opposed fast track did not do so because we oppose 
expanded trade but because the pending legislation gives Congress only 
one vote on trade legislation that may have profound impact on American 
workers and the quality of our lives.
  If the President were to embrace trade procedures that require 
consideration of labor and environmental standards followed by adequate 
enforcement and then subject the negotiated agreement to congressional 
approval, I believe the President's trade agreements would pass in 
Congress with a large consensus.
  I am sending a letter today to the President and will ask support 
from my colleagues who opposed fast track to discuss and explore 
alternatives which properly balance expanded trade and the preservation 
of American values.

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