[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 TRADE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday's TPA vote was a long-overdue 
victory for the American worker and the American middle class. It was 
not easy. Many thought it would never happen. We even saw corks pop in 
the facts-optional lobby a few weeks ago. But that proved to be 
premature because here is what we have always known about the 
legislation we will vote to send to the President today. It is 
underpinned by a simple but powerful idea: For American workers to have 
a fair shot in the 21st-century economy, it makes sense to remove the 
unfair barriers that discriminate against them and the products they 
make.
  Some may disagree. They certainly were not quiet in voicing their 
opinions. It is OK if they do not share our passion for ending this 
unfair discrimination against American workers. It is OK if they would 
rather rail against them tomorrow. But a bipartisan coalition in the 
House and the Senate thought it was time for forward progress instead.
  We were very pleased to see President Obama pursue an idea we have 
long believed in. We thank him for his efforts to help us advance this 
measure. We thank all of our friends across the aisle for their 
efforts, too, Senator Wyden most of all. Over in the House, I commend 
Speaker Boehner and Chairman Ryan for everything they have done. It 
hasn't been easy, and without them it would not have been possible. Of 
course, let me thank Chairman Orrin Hatch for demonstrating such 
patience, persistence, and determination throughout this process. He 
never lost sight of the goal. He never gave up. The people of Utah are 
lucky to have him.
  The Senate's work on trade does not end today. I said the Senate 
would finish pursuing the rest of the full trade package, and it will. 
We will take another cloture vote today to that end. That process 
continues. But the key victory for American workers and products 
stamped ``Made in the U.S.A.'' comes today. The bill we are about to 
pass will assert Congress's authority throughout the trade negotiation 
process. It will ensure that we have the tools we need to properly 
scrutinize whatever trade agreements are ultimately negotiated. It will 
make clear that the final say rests with us.
  We had plenty of bumps along the road--frankly, a few big potholes, 
too--but we worked across the aisle to get through all of them. That is 
an example of how a new Congress is back to work for the American 
people. I thank everyone who helped us get where we are. Now let's vote 
again to support the American worker and the American middle class by 
approving the bipartisan TPA bill.

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