[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            TRADE AUTHORITY

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I have to respond just a little bit to my 
friend from North Dakota who talked about trade. Obviously, trade is 
very important for all of us. I am a little interested in how he thinks 
435 people could negotiate a trade agreement. The idea is that the 
trade agreement needs to be negotiated and then brought to the Congress 
for approval. If it is not approved, it is not approved. I cannot 
imagine us trying to set up a trade bill and 435 folks trying to deal 
with that.
  So I am not in agreement entirely that we ought to take away the 
trade authority to negotiate and then bring it to the Congress. 
Presidents have had that, and hopefully they will continue to have 
that.
  The main constituency of the Senator from North Dakota, of course, is 
agriculture. Forty percent of agricultural products go into foreign 
trade. Obviously, we all want trade agreements to be fair and 
advantageous.
  I also have to respond a little bit to the molasses issue. We worked 
on that for several months, and it has been cured, as a matter of fact. 
The idea that nobody stood up to it is not accurate. The court has 
ruled, and that is no longer being done. It was being done, and it was 
wrong, but we brought it up through the court, and it is no longer the 
case.
  So trade is always difficult, and certainly I feel strongly about it 
from time to time, too. We are in a world where billions of dollars 
move around the world every day. We are going to have to trade. We are 
behind other countries in making trade agreements in South America, for 
example. So hopefully we can find a way to come up with agreements that 
will allow us to trade with other countries and, at the same time, of 
course, be as fair as possible.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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