[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4994]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I close, I would like to take a 
moment to talk about what I think is a bright spot for our economy, and 
that is bipartisan trade promotion authority. Previous free- and fair-
trade agreements have been a boon to the economy, expanding 
opportunities for American workers and giving American farmers, such as 
many of those I represent in South Dakota, and manufacturers access to 
new markets for their goods. Nearly every one of those trade agreements 
was negotiated and enacted using trade promotion authority.
  The idea behind trade promotion authority is very simple: Congress 
sets negotiating priorities for the administration and requires the 
administration to consult with Congress during that negotiating 
process. In return, Congress promises a simple up-or-down vote on the 
legislation instead of a lengthy amendment process that could leave the 
final agreement looking nothing like what was negotiated. That up-or-
down vote is the key. That is what gives our trading partners the 
confidence to put their best offers on the table, which allows for a 
successful conclusion of negotiations.
  Trade promotion authority expired in 2007. Republicans have been 
trying to get it reauthorized ever since. Currently, the administration 
is negotiating two key trade agreements--the Trans-Pacific Partnership 
and the United States-European Union trade agreement--that are unlikely 
to be concluded in the near future unless trade promotion authority is 
finally renewed. These agreements will expand opportunities for 
American workers and open new markets for American goods. A bipartisan 
reauthorization of trade promotion authority will help bring those 
agreements to a speedy conclusion, and that will be good news for 
American workers and American businesses.
  The challenges facing our Nation are best solved when Members of both 
parties come together to find solutions for the American people. I look 
forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on trade promotion 
authority and other issues that will grow our economy, create better 
paying jobs for American workers, and increase the take-home pay of 
middle-income families in this country.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.

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