[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22280]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   WE NEED TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that nothing will ever be 
attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.
  Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan compromise on Trade Promotion Authority 
has not overcome every possible objection. But it is far closer to that 
goal than many of us thought possible. We have addressed Members' 
concerns in a bipartisan fashion, working in good faith to created 
consensus. Now it appears new objections have been raised. These 
objections are not constructive. They were meant to derail this 
legislation, not improve it.
  We can always find new reasons to maintain the status quo, but it is 
time to drop extraneous objections and acknowledge the fundamental 
benefits of trade.
  Trade Promotional Authority will allow us to finally make serious 
progress in the effort to forge new trade agreements that benefit our 
constituents. Without TPA we can give up any notion of leading the 
world in opening new markets, promoting worker protection, and setting 
international technological standards. And by refusing to entrust our 
negotiators with the authority to move ahead on trade agreements, we 
are crippling American industries.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time to consider this issue on its merits rather 
than politics. We must set aside our differences and recognize that the 
compromise embodied in H.R. 3005 will benefit the American people.

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