[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 88 (Monday, May 22, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3073-S3074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONFIRMATION OF TERRY BRANSTAD
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I rise in opposition, understanding that
the vote has been taken but wanting to speak on the record about the
nomination of Governor Terry Branstad to be Ambassador to the People's
Republic of China.
This is a critical diplomatic post today, perhaps more than at any
time in our history. It has certainly been increasingly important
through every administration as China's expansionist views of the world
grow, as China's economy becomes more and more dominant in East Asia,
and as China, by not playing fair on economic issues, has caused, with
the acquiescence of many, many American companies, far too many jobs to
move there.
We have seen sort of a new business model for American business that
has been around now for a quarter of a century--something that economic
history never showed us before--where companies shut down in places
like Willowick or Toledo or Dayton or Springfield, OH, and move
overseas. They are getting tax breaks to do it. They build plants there
and sell those products back into Ohio or into Oklahoma or into the
United States in the other 48 States. Unfortunately, China has been
part of that, while U.S. companies have acted, in many cases,
irresponsibly, and China has played into it.
We have serious issues with China, from their currency manipulation
to trade cheating that hurts the American steel industry to their
dismal, documented record on human rights and religious freedom. On all
of these fronts, we need to take a firm position with China. We need an
ambassador who will advocate for American workers, for American
businesses, and, yes, for American values. I don't believe Governor
Branstad will be that ambassador.
When it comes to putting American workers first, Governor Branstad's
record, frankly, is appalling. How can he advocate for American workers
and for expanding the rights of working people around the world when he
fought against it at home in his home State of Iowa? As Governor, Terry
Branstad waged war on collective bargaining rights. He recently signed
legislation that takes away the right of public employees to bargain
for fair wages and for healthcare rights that they have guaranteed for
45 years--rights that were enshrined by a law signed by a former
Republican Governor.
When the State Department measures labor rights in countries around
the world, they look at whether a country's laws allow workers to
organize and engage in collective bargaining. China's results have
always been poor. They have been criticized for deplorable working
conditions. How can our country--how can the United States--lead by
example when it comes to ensuring that hard work pays off when the man
representing us in Beijing, when the man representing us at the
negotiating table is taking away workers' rights in our own country?
Don't think for a moment that the Chinese will not remind the American
Ambassador of what he has done with workers' rights in his home State,
as we perhaps argue--it is unclear if we will now, but perhaps we will
argue--for expanding workers' rights in China.
I appreciate the questions for the record that Senator Cardin
submitted to Governor Branstad. Unfortunately, his answers were vague
and did nothing to address the serious concerns that many of us have.
The President made a lot of campaign promises when it comes to
standing up to China. I have been clear since the days after the
election, when I called the President-elect's transition team, and in
conversations since then with President Trump and with the U.S. Trade
Representative, Ambassador Lighthizer, that I want to work with them on
that--with the President and with the U.S. Trade Representative.
After his meeting with Chinese President Xi, I sent a letter to
President Trump outlining steps he should take for fighting for
American workers, particularly in the steel industry, in his 100-day
plan on trade. But the person negotiating that 100-day plan needs to
have America's workers first in their mind. Governor Branstad has made
it clear that multinational corporations, not ordinary American
workers--not people in Youngstown, Warren, Steubenville, and Columbus--
will have his ear.
We can see corporate fingerprints on these trade agreements. Rarely
do we see workers at the table advocating for workers' rights. We only
see trade policy that reflects the interests of large corporations.
Those corporations then use these trade policies to outsource jobs
around the world.
It is not just workers' rights where China falls woefully short and
where we need to take a tough stand. China's record on human rights and
religious freedom is unacceptable. Our Ambassador needs to make that
clear. When U.S. officials represent us in the world, they must not
only be advocates for our business interests--they should be that, to
be sure--but they must also be critical advocates on behalf of workers
and on behalf of the Nation's values--values like freedom of speech,
freedom to organize, and the freedom to challenge powerful special
interests. These are values that go to the core of who we are as the
American people. But, again, Governor Branstad has not led by example.
He has waged war on women's access to healthcare.
Just this week, Planned Parenthood announced that they will be forced
to
[[Page S3074]]
shut down four Iowa health clinics because of the law signed by
Governor Branstad that blocked its funding. These clinics served 15,000
patients over the past 3 years--not providing abortions. The great
majority of these 15,000 patients got primary care, preventive care,
contraceptive coverage--all the things that women in every community in
this country demand.
Many live in rural areas. Many have nowhere else to turn for care.
Now, where do all of these women go for cancer screenings, diabetes
screenings, and other preventive care? Yet Governor Branstad has signed
legislation taking it away, forcing the shutdown of these clinics.
Access to healthcare is a basic right in this country, and it should
be in all 50 States. We need to take care of American patients and
American workers and set an example for the world. Our diplomats must
be that example. But, instead, we now have a man at the negotiating
table who again and again and again has proven that he wants to turn
back the clock on healthcare and on workers' rights.
We need an ambassador with a record of championing American values.
Only then can we be confident that he will stand up to China and put
Ohio workers and American workers first. Frankly, I question Governor
Branstad's ability to be that ambassador--to represent the people of
this great country in the People's Republic of China.
____________________