[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2487-E2488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4340, UNITED STATES-BAHRAIN FREE 
                   TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2005

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, I 
rise today on behalf of the New Dem Co-Chairs, Ron Kind, Artur Davis, 
and Adam Smith, to voice support of the United States-Bahrain Free 
Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
  Passage of this free trade agreement will help strengthen the United 
States' relationship with Bahrain and build a more secure and 
productive future for our countries and citizens.
  We believe when instituted correctly and fairly, trade agreements 
open up foreign markets to U.S. goods, create new opportunities for 
companies and their employees, and lift the standard of living for the 
people in the countries with whom we are trading.
  As our Nation leads the world into the 21st century, we should not 
shy away from opportunities to guide and expand global trade.
  U.S. goods exported to Bahrain totaled $302 million in 2004, 
constituting .03 percent of total U.S. merchandise trade in 2004.

[[Page E2488]]

  The U.S.-Bahrain FTA will provide substantial market access for U.S. 
services providers, including financial services.
  One hundred percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial 
products will become duty-free immediately, and 98 percent of U.S. 
agricultural product exports to Bahrain would be immediately duty free.
  Moreover, as Democrats who are strong on defense, we believe that 
securing an FTA with Bahrain is a positive foreign policy and national 
security step for the United States.
  Bahrain has been a strong and stable state in the Persian Gulf region 
and a friend to the United States.
  The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is based in Bahrain, and the United States 
has recognized the importance of our relationship with this country by 
establishing a joint U.S.-Bahrain Defense Cooperation Agreement and 
designing Bahrain as a ``Major Non-NATO ally.''
  This FTA strengthens relations with one of our proven strategic 
allies in an unstable region.
  Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, it is critically important that trade 
agreements are balanced and fair for workers.
  We are pleased that Bahrain has agreed to take the additional steps 
necessary to comply with basic international labor standards that are 
integral to ensuring that the benefits of globalization are broadly 
shared among all people.
  Bahrain has committed in writing and with a clear and immediate 
timetable to amend all provisions of its labor laws that are not 
consistent with basic International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.
  The government will repeal its current laws that forbid the formation 
of more than one trade union within a single enterprise; allow foreign 
workers who have not been paid their wages to only change employers 
after wages have not been paid for more than 3 months; do not provide 
for the reinstatement of workers fired because of anti-union 
discrimination; and require that in order to conduct a legal strike, 
three-quarters of the union must approve and the union must give the 
employer and Ministry of Labor two weeks notice.
  The Bahraini government will also reiterate its commitment to 
ensuring that penalties for anti-union discrimination are adequate to 
deter this activity and that workers are paid in a timely manner.
  Bahrain remains committed to progress on these issues and recognizes 
the need to ensure its laws are consistent with international 
standards.
  These changes are a major step forward in securing safe and fair 
working environments for all workers in Bahrain.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I are happy to support this FTA today. 
It is in our best interest to engage Bahrain and complete this 
bilateral free trade agreement. We urge all Members to support H.R. 
4340.

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