[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, this Chamber has now turned its 
consideration to trade promotion authority, or TPA. I am a supporter of 
this legislation because my State is the largest exporting State in the 
country, and I think our economy and the number of jobs that are 
created in Texas are reflective of our strong commitment to 
international trade.
  We simply find the point inarguable that to open new markets to the 
products that our agricultural sectors grow, our ranchers raise, and 
our manufacturers make seems to be such an obvious thing to do. That is 
why I am a big supporter of this legislation.
  It is not something that just helps businesses; it helps consumers, 
too. Reducing the protections for domestically produced goods helps 
consumers most dramatically. It helps with their cost of living and 
helps make their daily or weekly or monthly paycheck go a little bit 
further.
  Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. exports 
to trade-pact countries were growing at a far higher rate than exports 
to nontrade-pact countries. So if we get this TPA passed and the United 
States enters into one of these agreements under negotiation, such as 
the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we could see American exports to the 
region skyrocket. This region in particular involves 11 other countries 
and makes up about 40 percent of the world's economy, and, of course, 
it would be a ready-market for U.S. products, from beef to electronics.
  The reason why trade promotion authority is so important is because 
it makes no sense--in fact, I think it is almost impossible--to 
negotiate a trade deal with 535 Members of Congress. Congress gives the 
President the authority within very firm and clear directives on how 
the President's U.S. trade administration should negotiate this. 
Frankly, I think this is one area where we have bipartisan agreement 
that this is good. So why wouldn't we work together in the best 
interests of the American people and our economy?
  Trade doesn't just help businesses, as I have said; trade and TPA 
also help the consumer by driving down prices they pay every day at the 
drugstore, the grocery store, the hardware store--you name it. This 
legislation is good for American exporters and good for American 
consumers. Put simply, trade is good for America.
  Let me reiterate that this bill is not filled with partisan rhetoric. 
It is actually a very simple trade tool that will give Congress the 
authority to examine any upcoming trade deal the President is trying to 
cut and make sure the American people get a fair shake.
  I have heard several of our colleagues say they have gone down to a 
room to look at what has so far been negotiated on the Trans-Pacific 
Partnership. That is a good thing, but the fact is that negotiations 
aren't complete. That is not the whole deal; it is just a start.
  Many of the provisions in the TPA are just commonsense proposals. For 
example, if passed, TPA would give Congress the authority to access the 
full text of the trade agreement. Of course, it is hard to get more 
straightforward than that. It would also make sure there is greater 
transparency and accountability in the negotiation process, with 
regular briefings by the administration to Congress and Members allowed 
to actually attend the negotiations.
  In short, this trade legislation will provide Congress the needed 
oversight of the trade negotiations and will act as a safeguard for 
American interests to make sure our markets and our goods and services 
remain competitive in the global marketplace.
  Finally, I would like to say that this is a reminder of how the 
Senate should function--as a deliberative body that votes regularly on 
a bipartisan basis to do something important to help hard-working 
American families. We vote.

  I hope we will have a series of votes later this afternoon. I think 
having an open amendment process, as the majority leader has promised, 
is something that has been found to be a welcome development not just 
for the majority but also for the minority, which I know wants to 
participate in the process and thus represent their constituents to the 
best of their ability. Although some of my colleagues from across the 
aisle do not support this legislation, I hope they don't block it and 
prevent those of us who are interested in passing a good trade 
promotion authority piece of legislation from working productively.
  I would encourage all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
offer their amendments so that the Senate can debate them and vote on 
them. That is our job as the elected representatives of the American 
people.
  I see TPA as a real opportunity to help American workers earn higher 
wages and send more American-made products around the world. I 
encourage our colleagues to support this bill and in doing so to lend 
support to the hard-working Americans who increasingly rely on trade to 
support their families.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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