[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3458-H3459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RESTRUCTURE AND EXPAND TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3670, the 
bill introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo) and 
myself to restructure and expand the Trade Adjustment Assistance 
Program. The other body has already adopted this legislation as part of 
the Trade Promotion Authority, and the House will soon vote to go to 
conference with the other body to work out a trade promotion authority 
bill. As one who supported TPA, who supported Fast Track, I believe it 
is imperative on the part of the House that we adopt the Senate's 
version of Trade Adjustment Assistance. If we are going to have a real 
trade package for this country, it has to benefit not just those who 
win from trade but those who lose from

[[Page H3459]]

trade as well, including the workers who lose their job through no 
fault of their own. We should have a full package which includes a 
revamp of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program for the first time 
since 1962 when it was created by the Kennedy Administration. So I hope 
that the leadership of the House, the Republican leadership, will have 
the wisdom if they really want to pass a TPA bill and proceed to the 
Senate for a real Trade Adjustment Assistance reform package.

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