[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AMERICA GIVES MORE ACT OF 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2015

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Customs 
bill--a bill that was included as part of a trade package that includes 
Trade Adjustment Assistance and Trade Promotion Authority, also known 
as Fast Track. This vote represents a flawed and hurried process to 
expedite the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Moreover, 
the Customs Bill fails to strengthen trade policy and enforcement and 
instead is being used as a way to weaken TPA and its negotiating 
objectives.
  While the Customs bill is designed to modernize customs operations 
and promote enforcement at the border through trade laws, it takes a 
number of steps back in these areas. For example, this bill cuts 
funding for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center and the Trade 
Enforcement Trust Fund. It also removes a currency manipulation 
provision that passed out of the Senate with bipartisan support that 
would have imposed countervailing duties against countries that 
manipulate their currencies. I am also troubled by a provision that 
weakens a human trafficking negotiating objective that would have 
prevented the U.S. from entering into trade agreements with countries 
in the State Department Human Trafficking Report such as Malaysia, by 
allowing the President to simply certify that countries are taking 
``concrete steps'' to address human trafficking.
  In addition, I am deeply opposed to a new negotiating objective that 
was added in the 11th hour, which ensures that trade agreements do not 
create new obligations related to combating climate change or that 
would require changes in U.S. domestic laws. Trade agreements must not 
restrict our ability to tackle climate change in the 21st century.
  This bill also adds restrictive language related to immigration to 
ensure that trade agreements do not require changes to U.S. immigration 
laws or the issuance of new visas.
  Mr. Speaker, we have to strengthen TPA and its negotiating 
objectives--not weaken it. We must improve TPA before moving forward on 
any future trade agreement that will have wide-ranging consequences for 
America's working class. I strongly urge a ``no'' vote.

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