Rep. Kelly Praises House Passage of Trade Promotion Authority
Hails conservative victory as “win for America”
WATCH FLOOR SPEECHES HERE& HERE
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – issued the following statement today in support of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (an amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2146), which was passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon with bipartisan support. The legislation will enact Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for Congress and the Executive Branch and is similar to H.R. 1890, which was approved by the Ways and Means Committee on April 23, 2015. Today’s bill differs from H.R. 1890 in that it includes additional trade negotiation objectives regarding foreign currency manipulation, religious freedom, and human trafficking.
Statement by Rep. Kelly on passage of TPA:
“Today is a victorious day for those of us who want to strengthen our country, grow our economy, and create new jobs for Americans. With TPA, Congress will have unprecedented oversight power to guarantee the strongest possible trade deals for America. With TPA, Congress — not the president — will always be in the driver’s seat and writing the rules of the negotiating road. With TPA, the United States — not China — will continue to write the rules of the global economy. That is why the passage of today’s bill is a win for accountability, a win for oversight, a win for transparency, a win for Congress, and a win for America.”
Excerpt of Rep. Kelly’s floor speech on TPA (6/12/2015):
“If you want really strong trade agreements, then you have to be in a position to negotiate those. … If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu. … Trade Promotion Authority is the only thing that gives [Congress] the ability to drive strong trade agreements to make sure that every single American is taken care of. … For those of us who don’t trust the president’s judgment, then TPA is absolutely necessary. It’s not an option. … TPA gives us the ability to grow the American economy, grow American jobs, and make America more safe and secure, and it gives our partners around the world the certainty that America has not walked away from the table.”
Excerpt of Rep. Kelly’s op-ed on TPA for TIME:
“Considering all of the ironclad boxes that a president would have to check in order to turn his or her desired trade deal into reality, there is really nothing ‘fast’ about TPA at all. In truth, a more accurate nickname for it would be ‘safe track’ or even ‘smart track.’ With TPA enacted, caution and wisdom in the name of American interests will accompany a trade deal’s creation from start to finish.”
NOTE: Expert analysis demonstrating how trade economically benefits Pennsylvania’s 3rd District as well as the state and nation at large can be found here, here, here, here, and here.
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