[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               NAFTA-TAA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 1999

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, the authorizations for the Trade Adjustment 
Assistance (TAA) program and the NAFTA Trade Adjustment Assistance 
(NAFTA-TAA) program expire today, June 30, 1999. Accordingly, I am 
introducing legislation to reauthorize the programs through fiscal year 
2001. There should be no gap in the authorizations for these vitally 
important programs, which have long enjoyed bipartisan support.
  Efforts to increase the participation of the United States in global 
trade are essential to the continued growth of our economy. However, 
when increased trade is a cause of dislocation for some U.S. workers 
and firms, we must be prepared to respond. The TAA programs are the 
cornerstone of our longstanding efforts to cushion the impact of the 
blow for employees and businesses who have been harmed by imports. Most 
important, TAA provides retraining and technical assistance so these 
workers and firms can thrive in the new economy.
  A number of reforms in the TAA programs have been proposed recently. 
The legislation that I am introducing today is intended to continue 
these programs as their Congressional authorization is set to expire. 
However, the bill is not meant to preclude important discussions of 
broader, systemic changes.

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