[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 2, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H8870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE DISPLACED JOBS RELIEF ACT OF 2015

  (Mr. AGUILAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge my colleagues to 
support the Displaced Jobs Relief Act of 2015, a bill I introduced 
yesterday to help small businesses that have been hurt by foreign 
competition.
  As the Inland Empire of California fights back from the Great 
Recession, we need to make sure that we use every tool available to 
help our small businesses recover.
  Small businesses were dealt heavy blows in the past decade, both from 
our weakened economy and from our flawed trade agreements. 
International trade plays an important role in our economy, but history 
has taught us that not all agreements are fair. Sometimes they take a 
toll on local businesses that don't have the ability to handle unfair 
foreign competition.
  That is why I introduced this bill. Trade Adjustment Assistance has 
played a crucial role in retraining and placing Americans in good-
paying jobs for generations. If we increase the availability of funds, 
we can help protect hardworking Americans from losing business to 
unfair competition overseas.
  My bill would increase the authorization for TAA for businesses up to 
$50 million for each fiscal year, beginning in 2016 and running through 
2021.
  Historically, these programs have always authorized $50 million a 
year, and, in fiscal year 2011, House Republicans cut the levels to $16 
million, barely 30 percent of what funding was.
  This is an important program that can help businesses in the Inland 
Empire and across the Nation, and I urge my colleagues to support me 
and the Displaced Jobs Relief Act for 2015 for the sake of American 
workers and businesses.

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