Congresswoman Edwards Votes for TAA Benefits, Against Free Trade Agreement

Statement

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) voted today for the General System of Preferences/Trade Adjustment Assistance Act and against the Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act extends the TAA program and the 2009 TAA reforms for workers, firms, and farmers through December 31, 2013. TAA programs offer retraining opportunities, health insurance assistance, and other crucial support to U.S. workers who lose their jobs due to the negative effects of international trade.

"At a time when 25 million Americans are out of work, including the 14 million looking for work, the three Free Trade Agreements passed today will sadly cost domestic manufacturing jobs, hurt our economic recovery, and place us in opposition to workers' rights in Latin America. The truth is that extending TAA benefits, though important, will serve as little solace for American workers dislocated by trade that will be exacerbated by passage of these three trade agreements.

"I am committed to helping U.S. companies create jobs and export their products overseas, but these agreements fall well short of meeting those goals. Congress should be focused on making investments here at home instead of passing legislation that will cost 214,000 jobs. Updating our infrastructure, growing our domestic manufacturing sector, and providing a quality education to all Americans: this is how the U.S. will compete in the 21st Century."

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