Today, Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement after the House and Senate approved Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, which will now head to the President's desk for his signature.
"Today, we acted to constrain President Obama's authority by requiring him to include Congress and the American people in the development of any international trade agreements. Advancing free trade will boost our economy and open up markets with millions of consumers all over the world to U.S. products. There have been more than 100 new free trade agreements signed across the globe since TPA expired in 2007, yet the United States is not a party to a single one of them. By doing nothing we're losing to the countries who are moving forward without us.
"TPA requires the President to pursue 150 major objectives mandated by Congress in negotiating a free trade deal. Additionally, this legislation, for the first time ever, requires President Obama to make the full text of any proposed trade agreement public for 60 days so every American can review it. Only then can Congress vote on whether to approve or reject it. The enactment of TPA represents a major opportunity to strengthen the U.S. economy and ensure the American people--not just the President--are setting our international trade policies."
Source: http://roskam.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/roskam-statement-on-passage-of-trade-promotion-authority
