Statement of Congressman DeSaulnier on Trade Votes

Washington, DC – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement on today’s trade votes. The Majority expects to bring the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill to the floor early next week.

“‘Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed,’ President Lincoln said.

“One of my most significant votes in Congress involved what are potentially the two largest trade agreements in history. The basis of American democracy is for elected officials to be open and honest with the people they represent.  If this trade deal is good for America, Americans should have been able to review and debate it.

“I believe global trade is good for us as long as the most powerful human force, the American Workforce, is fairly compensated. Workers cannot take another hit in the pocketbook. For the first time in history our children are not inheriting the same quality of life as previous generations.

“Americans are now more productive than ever, but they have not been able to collect the fruits of their increased productivity. The most important thing a Representative can do is honestly fight for the American worker. Now more than ever, they need us to be on their side.”

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