[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5494]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on another matter, last night we saw 
the latest example of committees getting back to work in a new 
Congress--getting back to work for the American people. The Finance 
Committee passed an important bipartisan bill, trade promotion 
authority, with broad support from both parties, 20 to 6--20 to 6. The 
chairman and ranking member of that committee, Senator Hatch and 
Senator Wyden, worked hard to achieve the result we saw last night.
  Along with Chairman Ryan in the House, they put together an agreement 
that reflects the kind of honest compromise they can take pride in. It 
protects and enhances the role of Congress in the trade negotiating 
process, while ensuring that Presidents of either party--and I would 
remind our colleagues that this is a 6-year trade promotion authority 
bill. It will give to the next President the opportunity to negotiate 
additional trade agreements and send them to Congress for approval.
  These agreements can boost our economy and support more high-quality 
American jobs. Now, this bipartisan bill will move to the Senate floor. 
It is my hope to pass it during the current work period.

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