Rep. Wasserman Schultz Statement on Trade Votes

Washington, DC, June 12, 2015
I have spoken with President Obama and his team several times these past few months, as well as held meetings and phone calls with numerous national and local labor leaders, and after weighing all sides carefully, I voted to grant the President the "fast track" authority he needs to complete negotiations on free trade agreements between the United States and other nations.

 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement today after voting to support Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and to give the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). 

“I have spoken with President Obama and his team several times these past few months, as well as held meetings and phone calls with numerous national and local labor leaders, and after weighing all sides carefully, I voted to grant the President the "fast track" authority he needs to complete negotiations on free trade agreements between the United States and other nations.

“The fact of the matter is that I trust this President, with whom I share so many of the same values and priorities, to be the one setting the standards for this six-year authorization of TPA. For example, unlike previous authority agreements, this version includes strong provisions that require inclusion of enhanced labor standards, protection of human rights and the environment - inside trade agreements - as well as ensuring they are enforceable. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, such standards are imperative to free and fair trade.

“Congress still retains the power to ultimately approve or reject free trade deals, a power I take seriously and which my colleagues and I will soon put to the test as we consider the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. During my eleven years in Congress, I have thoroughly examined free trade agreements and both supported and opposed them. The test for me is always whether an agreement includes strong labor, human rights and environmental standards and is also good for the South Florida economy.

“I have stood with working families my entire 22 years as a legislator, and while this TAA package, which was tied to TPA was an imperfect one, I could not turn my back on working families who may need job retraining assistance and other opportunities to compete for high-paying, family-supporting jobs in this global economy. I have always supported trade assistance, and will continue to do so.”

 

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Contact:

Sean Bartlett, Sean.Bartlett@mail.house.gov

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov