[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4191-S4192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE EXPANSION ACT

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will now 
resume consideration of H.R. 3009, which the clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 3009) to extend the Andean Trade Preference 
     Act, to grant additional trade benefits under that Act, and 
     for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am very proud to be able to stand in 
this Chamber today and say that we have reached a compromise on fast 
track, trade adjustment assistance, Andean trade, and the Generalized 
System of Preferences, or GSP.
  Last night, my good friend and colleague, Senator Grassley and I--
along with the administration--were able to reach an agreement that I 
believe will gain very broad bipartisan support.
  As I have said before, this bill, if passed, will be the first major 
rewrite of international trade legislation in 14 years. It is an 
historic opportunity for all of us.
  Last week, I outlined the need for fast track and for renewing and 
expanding the Andean Trade Preference Act. Those bills are identical to 
the bills offered last week.
  Let me outline today the compromise that was reached on trade 
adjustment assistance.
  I believe that the TAA legislation will be one of the most important 
bills to be adopted by the Senate this year. Importantly, this bill 
makes several changes to the TAAA program to make it more effective.
  First, it extends the period for which TAA pays out income support 
from 52 to 78 weeks. This allows TAA recipients to stay in the program 
long enough to complete training for new jobs.
  Second, we expand eligibility for TAA benefits to secondary workers. 
For example, if an automobile producer is affected by imports, 
displaced workers in supplier companies--tire and windshield 
manufacturers, for example--will also be covered. We expect that 
approximately 65,000 additional workers will be eligible for TAA 
because of this provision.
  Third, we agreed to extend TAA benefits when a U.S. manufacturing 
plant moves offshore to any country. In addition, we have codified the 
provisions covering downstream workers who are currently covered by the 
NAFTA transitional program.
  Fourth, we expand TAA benefits. This legislation authorizes $300 
million for training--nearly tripling the program.
  The legislation also helps TAA recipients obtain healthcare 
insurance. Displaced workers will be eligible for an advanceable, 
refundable tax credit of 70 percent.
  That money can be used for COBRA or for the purchase of certain 
State-based group coverage options. We also provide interim assistance 
through the National Emergency Grant program.
  In my opinion, this is most significant bipartisan agreement on 
health care in many, many years.
  Fifth, this legislation provides a special TAA program for family 
farmers, ranchers, and fishermen.

[[Page S4192]]

  And finally, this bill creates a pilot program on wage insurance--a 
concept that has been endorsed by former USTR Carla Hills and Federal 
Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.
  In addition to agreeing on a much improved and expanded TAA program, 
we have also agreed to extend the Generalized System of Preferences 
through the end of 2006. This important legislaiton extends 
preferential duty treatment for goods from developing countries.
  As a part of the deal reached last night, we will update the 
definition of ``core worker rights'' in GSP to make it consistent with 
the ILO's 1998 definition of core worker rights.
  This is important, of course, because in considering countries' 
eligibility for GSP benefits, the President must consider whether they 
are taking steps to protect core worker rights.
  With the updated definition, the President's evaluation will now 
encompass countries' compliance with the ILO prohibition on the worst 
forms of child labor and the ILO prohibition on discrimination with 
respect to employment and occupation.
  As I said when I began my remarks, I am very proud of this 
legislation. But it would not have been possible without the help of 
many of my colleagues.
  So let me end with some thanks. First, on the TAA bill, Senators 
Bingaman and Snowe have been instrumental in this process. And on the 
Andean trade bill, Senator Bob Graham has been a tireless advocate.
  I also thank Senator Daschle for this support through both the 
committee process and as we completed negotiations.
  And finally, I thank two of my colleagues on the Finance Committee, 
Senator Breaux and Senator Phil Gramm, for their help in reaching 
consensus on this deal.
  I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to pass this 
important legislation.
  Mr. President, I very shortly expect to go through the procedure 
where we can lay down this substitute amendment and begin working 
through various amendments that will be offered to that amendment. That 
should happen momentarily.
  In the meantime, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                           Amendment No. 3401

              (Purpose: To provide a substitute amendment)

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Montana [Mr. Baucus], for himself and Mr. 
     Grassley, proposes an amendment numbered 3401.

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent reading of the 
amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text 
of Amendments.'')
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator 
from Michigan be recognized to speak as in morning business for up to 
10 minutes and that I be recognized following that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Michigan.

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