[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 29, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2491-S2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, later this morning we will welcome an 
important friend of the United States to the Capitol, Shinzo Abe, Prime 
Minister of Japan.
  I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say. I know many of my 
colleagues feel the same way because Prime Minister Abe doesn't just 
lead one of the most important economies and countries in the Asia-
Pacific region, he leads one of the most important countries and 
economies in the entire world. Abe has proposed to tackle some tough 
structural problems other leaders in his country might not touch, but 
he knows the Japanese people can be persuaded to reward their leaders 
for taking risks.
  Abe previously served in the Cabinet of a free-market Prime Minister 
who grabbed hold of economic third rails of Japanese politics and then 
rolled to a landslide victory when others counted him out. Perhaps that 
is why Abe feels liberated to pursue new initiatives of his own.
  On the domestic side, Abe has proposed structural reforms. On the 
international front, Abe has worked to enhance the role and influence 
of democratic nations, such as the two of us, in the Asia-Pacific. Just 
this week in Washington, he signed important agreements with the United 
States on both cyber security and defense.
  This all serves to underline the enduring importance of the U.S.-
Japan alliance. It also reminds us that the Obama administration must 
do its part, too, by investing in the platforms and capabilities needed 
to make its announced pivot to Asia real. That is the only way to both 
bolster democratic nations such as Japan in the region, while also 
effectively countering China's aggressive encroachment upon the 
territorial and navigational rights of its neighbors.
  Trade is another way to advance our common values and strengthen our 
national security and our economy. For years, Japan and the United 
States had a difficult trading relationship. Today, though, the U.S. 
and Japanese negotiators actually appear close to reaching an agreement 
that could significantly lower existing barriers to trade, benefiting 
both of our economies.
  That breakthrough is being negotiated as part of the Trans-Pacific 
Partnership, a trade agreement between Pacific nations such as Japan, 
Australia, and the United States. That would help ensure the region and 
the world play by fair rules, instead of ceding the fields to an 
increasingly aggressive China.
  The Trans-Pacific Partnership could also, according to one estimate, 
support up to nearly one-quarter of a million new jobs in the United 
States, including more than 50,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector 
alone. But American and Kentucky workers and farmers will never be able 
to reap the rewards of selling more ``Made in America'' goods to the 
Pacific until Congress passes a bipartisan trade promotion bill.
  Passing that bipartisan legislation is key to enhancing Congress's 
role in the trade process, while simultaneously ensuring Presidents of 
either party--because this is a 6-year TPA, it will apply

[[Page S2492]]

to the next President--have the tools they need to secure a strong and 
enforceable trade agreement for American workers.
  The bill recently passed the Finance Committee on an overwhelmingly 
bipartisan vote, and I intend to take it up after we complete action on 
the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act.
  But, for now, let me just say that Congress is pleased to have the 
Prime Minister join us today. We thank Prime Minister Abe and his 
country for their enduring friendship.

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