[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I come to the floor to discuss the 
importance of trade and the Nebraskans who depend upon it. Since 1989, 
U.S. agricultural exports have nearly quadrupled in value. This is a 
direct result of our trade agreements, which have opened foreign 
markets to our goods. In 2014 alone, the value of U.S. agriculture 
exports was $152.5 billion, yielding a trade surplus of more than $43 
billion. This surplus is the result of hard work by millions of 
American farmers and ranchers.
  My home State of Nebraska is leading the way in progress as a top 
producer and exporter of agriculture and manufacturing products. In 
2013, Nebraska exported $7.3 billion in products tied to agriculture 
and the processing industries. By trading internationally, we are 
creating jobs and long-term income here at home. From farms and ranches 
to food processing, transportation, and manufacturing industries, 
countless parts of our economy rely on flow of goods across our Nation 
and around the world.
  Nebraska's Governor, director of agriculture, and 22 Nebraska 
agriculture stakeholders echoed the necessity of these trade 
agreements, urging congressional leaders to quickly pass important 
legislation for these agreements to materialize. This point was 
reinforced in a recent Omaha World-Herald Editorial, which noted that 
Nebraska producers operate on a global scale and therefore understand 
the economic benefit of robust free-trade agreements.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that every $1 billion of 
U.S. agricultural exports generates $1.3 billion in economic activity 
and supports the full-time work of approximately 6,600 Americans 
throughout the economy. Simply put, international trade is an essential 
component of opening foreign markets to U.S. agriculture and food 
products. The best avenues we have to open new markets, increase that 
productivity, and create jobs are through strong, fair, and inclusive 
free-trade agreements.
  With more than 95 percent of the world's population located outside 
the United States, economic growth and job creation depend on trade 
opportunities that allow our U.S. companies and our producers to tap 
into new markets to sell more American products.
  As we debate, the world's population continues to grow. In more and 
more countries, we see a growing middle class with a mounting appetite. 
What do they want to eat? They want high-quality meat, produce, and 
food products from the United States of America. What a tremendous 
opportunity for American producers to capture new markets and reach 
more consumers worldwide, but these new markets cannot be developed 
unless the United States is at the table and at the table negotiating 
for comprehensive free-trade agreements that ensure producers and 
exporters receive that fair deal.
  In order to accomplish this goal, the Senate must first pass trade 
promotion authority or the TPA. TPA effectively combines Congress's 
authority to regulate foreign commerce alongside the President's 
authority to negotiate treaties. It reinforces the role of Congress to 
set negotiation priorities, and it requires the President to consult 
extensively with legislators throughout this entire negotiation 
process. Under TPA, Congress retains its authority to review and 
determine whether the proposed trade agreement will be implemented 
through an up-or-down vote.
  TPA has been granted to every President since Gerald Ford. This 
longstanding and proven partnership between the legislative and 
executive branches is essential to finalizing those free-trade 
agreements that create countless opportunities for American enterprise. 
TPA will allow us to actually complete the trade negotiations that are 
currently underway. America is on the brink of some very ambitious and 
progrowth deals. It will also provide our negotiators with the 
credibility they need in order to conclude those trade agreements. Our 
trading partners must be certain the United States is serious about its 
trade priorities and that we are serious about our commitments. To get 
the best deal, there is no doubt our trade negotiators need this vital 
negotiating tool.
  Furthermore, as this administration negotiates the two largest 
regional trade agreements in history, we must position ourselves to 
extract the best deals possible. The Trans-Pacific Partnership or the 
TPP includes countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, which have 
great, tremendous opportunities for our exports. This agreement will 
give us greater access to the fastest growing economic region in the 
world. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is between 
the European Union and the United States, which together account for 
nearly half of global GDP.
  I support the negotiations for each of these regional trade 
agreements. Both agreements hold enormous potential for continued 
progress in agricultural exports, and they will create jobs here at 
home. The United States has negotiated free-trade agreements with 20 
countries over the past three decades. These trading partners only 
represent 10 percent of the global economy, but they consume nearly 
half of the U.S. exports. Economic growth and American job creation 
would only expand under TPP, where negotiating countries represent the 
fastest growing economies in the world.
  That said, it is critical trade agreements eliminate barriers and 
level the playing field for American businesses. Fair, two-way market 
access that eliminates tariffs is essential to any comprehensive trade 
agreement.
  We are in the 21st century, and our trade agreements should reflect 
21st century principles. TPA is critical to providing our trade 
representatives with the necessary tools to finalize these pending 
negotiations, while also ensuring that the unsung heroes of the 
American dinner table--our farmers, our ranchers, our food processors--
receive the greatest benefit.
  Nebraska's farmers and ranchers are global leaders and the very best 
at producing safe, high-quality food to feed the world. It is 
imperative that foreign markets are open, balanced, and that they 
provide a level playing field for all of our U.S. products. One of best 
ways we can do this is by expanding free trade and authorizing TPA.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this very important legislation.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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