News Brief: Free Trade Agreements Pass Congress, Signed by President

Statement

I am excited for American workers. Last week, years of tireless work to bring job-creating free trade agreements to the House floor paid off with strong, bipartisan support for their passage. Just yesterday, President Obama completed their long journey through the legislative process by signing them in the Oval Office.

These are proven jobs bills that will create and sustain thousands of good jobs in Washington. 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.

The President asked for a jobs bill. I am proud to say that 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 achieve success, I am hopeful that Democrats and Republicans can build on this shared victory. We have to work together if we are going to get our economy back on track.

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