[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 14, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H396-H397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TRADE

  (Mrs. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon regarding Fast Track 
authorization.
  There are many reasons to oppose Fast Track, but the first and 
foremost is that Fast Track is an abdication of Congress' fundamental 
responsibilities.
  The Constitution authorizes the Congress, not the executive branch, 
to regulate commerce between nations. This

[[Page H397]]

deal was negotiated by the administration, in secret, without the 
proper input or oversight from the Congress. The grapevine tells us--
because they are not talking to us directly--that it will do nothing to 
address currency manipulation, the mother of all trade barriers.
  Just one consequence is an $8,000 cost advantage to a Japanese 
vehicle sold in the United States, which is then used to subsidize 
parts, advertising, or to undercut the cost of a vehicle in the 
marketplace. In fact, Toyota made more in profits last year from 
currency manipulation than Ford made last year in its entire worldwide 
operations.
  What I know about the domestic auto industry is that they can 
outcompete any of their competitors in the world, but they cannot 
outcompete the Bank of Japan or the Japanese Government.
  Those who care about the constitutional responsibilities of Congress 
should oppose Fast Track.

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