[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8891-H8892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN OPPOSITION TO FAST TRACK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to the Fast Track 
legislation that is being proposed. Our country is at war. We must 
prioritize safety and security of the American people. There are 
lingering concerns of biological contamination. The American people 
continue to worry about anthrax, about new reports from the 
administration to be on high alert. Now is not the time to move forward 
on the Thomas Fast Track legislation.
  The U.S. has officially entered an economic recession. Millions of 
workers are suffering: unemployed, no health coverage, and jobs lost. 
Terrorists have struck the American people in their pocketbooks. The 
holidays are approaching. Hundreds are fearful of imminent layoff. Do 
you know what it is like to be laid off, not being able to make your 
payments, not being able to put food on the table, feed your children, 
stand up with pride? It is very difficult for many Americans who are 
being laid off, who are now trying to figure out a way to pay their 
bills. Now is not the time to move forward with this Fast Track 
legislation. Expediting a trade negotiation is the last priority for 
the American people, the last priority for the American people in these 
trying times.
  International trade directly affects the lives and the livelihood of 
increasing numbers of Americans. Congress cannot be confined to the 
back bench. We in Congress must be active and participate in all 
international trade negotiations. The Thomas bill would have us serve 
merely as consultants. That is not what we were elected to do. We were 
elected to voice and protect the interests not only of my district but 
of the American people in general. The Thomas Fast Track bill is an 
unfortunate manipulation of trade policy.
  Since September 11, broad bipartisanship has been a top priority.

                              {time}  1730

  This bill serves in dividing the line. This bill is driving a wedge 
between the

[[Page H8892]]

Democrats, the Republicans, between the Democrats and the high-tech 
community. The partisan tactics of the proponents of the Thomas Fast 
Track bill stands in stark contrast to the President's statement last 
week that the passage of Trade Promotion Authority would send a signal 
that Congress and the administration are united on trade. Congress is 
not united on trade. Now is not the time to move forward with the 
Thomas Fast Track legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would support legislation granting President Bush Fast 
Track negotiation powers provided it addressed effectively the key 
issues of labor and the environment and the role of Congress. I am not 
against free trade. Unfortunately, this bill we will vote on tomorrow 
fails to address the new realities of trade in an effective and 
realistic manner.
  The Thomas bill endangers a rare opportunity to build a bipartisan 
consensus in support of tearing down trade barriers in a way that would 
create jobs and raise living standards around the world. Labor and 
environmental considerations are not merely social considerations. The 
truth is that inclusion of labor and the environmental issues has real 
commercial significance for the terms of trade.
  A growing number of people around the world, having experienced the 
negative effects of free trade agreements, we can look back at NAFTA, 
are opposing accords such as the proposed free trade agreements because 
we know what we have experienced from many of the jobs lost in the auto 
industry, the manufacturing industries, and many other areas where 
people lost their jobs.
  We need a different kind of trade agreement, one that would benefit 
working people and the environment in every country. We can no longer 
give free reign to the over-exploitation of the workers who abuse not 
only workers but children and the environment. We must protect the 
interests of hard-working Americans and the hard-working individuals in 
our global community.

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