[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE NEED FOR FAIR TRADE POLICIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to 
trade policies that are unfair to American workers.
  Congress must insist on a new model for trade that makes American 
workers the top priority. Trade agreements must also take into account 
protections for the environment and ensure access to life-saving 
medicines.
  Developing trade agreements that take these priorities into account 
will be difficult, but we must not rush into obligations which will 
ultimately harm our own interests, and we must reject the false choice 
between expanding our trade opportunities and fairness to U.S. workers.
  It is simply wrong to follow the old model that we know hurts the 
livelihoods of so many of our constituents. That is why Democrats are 
pushing for new priorities in the trade deals that the administration 
is negotiating with Colombia, Peru, Panama, South Korea and other 
countries.
  Congress must continue to press the administration to change its 
trade policies and provide specific, constructive suggestions to 
advance the goals of our workers and our economy.
  Unfortunately, the Bush administration doesn't act as though it 
believes that Congress should have a real say in trade negotiations. 
One example, though it is certainly not the only one, is the matter of 
allowing access to life-saving medications.
  Congress has passed legislation directing the administration to 
respect the Doha Declaration, an agreement that allows countries 
flexibility under WTO rules to provide for public health. Although the 
administration signed the Doha Declaration, USTR has completely ignored 
Congress' directive to respect it.
  Every trade pact negotiated since 2002 has contained stringent 
intellectual property rules sought by the major drug companies. By 
keeping medicine prices high, these rules increase industry profits but 
restrict access to needed medicines for citizens in developing 
countries. Even in current free trade negotiations, USTR continues to 
ignore the will of Congress to respect the Doha Declaration.
  That is why a new framework for trade must include a stronger role 
for Congress. The current model of nonbinding negotiating objectives 
permits the President to ignore the wishes of this Congress.
  It is no surprise that the administration has favored large corporate 
interests at the expense of American workers, the environment and 
global health. But it is wrong. However, our new majority in Congress 
will respond to workers who have been hurt by previous trade 
agreements. After all, trade agreements have affected my home State of 
Maine's manufacturing, farming and service sectors.
  Soon Congress may be asked to consider renewing fast track authority. 
I voted against the Trade Act of 2002, which granted fast track 
authority to the President. I urge my colleagues to reject renewal of 
fast track in its current form. It is vital that Congress continue to 
press for change, firmly and constructively.

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