Reichert Applauds Passage of Long-Stalled, Job-Creating Free Trade Agreements

Statement

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), a Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, the President's Export Council, and the leading advocate in the House for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, today released the following statement after pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support:

"I am excited for American workers. Years of tireless work to bring these job-creating free trade agreements to the House floor, paid off today with strong, bipartisan support for their passage," said Reichert. "These are proven jobs bills that will create and sustain thousands of good jobs in Washington state. These historic deals will also offer $13 billion in new sales opportunities for Pacific Northwest manufacturers, farmers, and service providers. I led the effort to pass the Korea agreement because it is especially important to our diplomatic interests and economic recovery. American workers and businesses deserve a level playing field to compete in the global economy.

"President Obama asked for a jobs bill. Today, Congress responded by sending three bipartisan measures to his desk in the form of these job-creating free trade agreements. While it took far too long to arrive at this moment, I am hopeful that Democrats and Republicans can build on this success. We have to work together if we are going to get our economy back on track by opening new markets and selling American goods and services to consumers abroad."

The trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea are estimated to create 250,000 jobs and increase gross domestic product by $10-$13 billion each year.

Source