Schwartz Statement on Baucus-Camp-Hatch Bill to Renew Trade Promotion Authority

Statement

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today regarding legislation to give the Obama administration "fast-track" negotiation authority to move trade agreements quickly through Congress. The bill would renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that expired in 2007. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), and Senate Finance Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the TPA legislation.

"American workers need trade policies that grow the number of American-manufactured goods exported overseas, create a fair and level playing field, safeguard and create good-paying American jobs, and enforce labor and environmental standards overseas. Anything less than that is unacceptable. As President Obama looks toward expanding domestic trade, he must pursue a new model of trade negotiation authority that includes robust Congressional consultation and oversight, gives the United States the ability to hold our trading partners accountable for their labor and environmental laws, and creates new economic opportunities for American workers."

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