Four Senate Finance Committee Democrats Issue Joint Statement Upon Introduction of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation

Statement

Following the introduction of a bill to provide Trade Promotion Authority and the announcement of a scheduled committee markup next week, United States Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Bob Casey (D-PA) issued the following joint statement:

"Trade policy affects the future of America's middle class and manufacturing industry. Today, we were given the text of a fast track package just one hour before a hearing on it was set to begin. We've learned that in a little over a week, the Finance Committee is scheduled to mark-up this legislation, which will affect more than 50 percent of the world's GDP. With millions of American manufacturing jobs on the line, we need a thorough legislative hearing schedule with both public and private sector witnesses that can testify on all four bills in the package. We urge the Chair and Ranking Member to revisit the committee's schedule to ensure that Congress has time to conduct critical oversight.

"We owe it to working Americans to stand up for their interests when it comes to foreign trade. That means demanding trade policy that puts American jobs first and cracks down on illegal trade practices - like currency manipulation.

"While we appreciate the efforts made to improve the bill, there's more that needs to be done. Our trade agreements have changed significantly over the last 12 years, and fast track authority should reflect that. We are committed to improving this bill by offering amendments through the committee and floor process that will ensure trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership do not continue the trend of offshoring American jobs and driving down wages.