Skip to main content

Pocan Floor Statement Against Trade Bills

June 12, 2015

Washington, D.C - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today gave the following statement on the House floor urging his colleagues to vote no on the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill and Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also known as "fast track" legislation.

You can find a video clip of the remarks here.

"I grew up in an auto town where almost everyone had a family member who worked in the industry. But today there are no cars made there anymore. To me, trade deals should be about whether or not we'll fight for American jobs and American worker's wages. Bad trade deals cost us both.

"Unless we have a say, unless the American people have a say, this trade deal will do exactly the same and cost us more jobs.

"I've read the text and I know where we're at with it as of now. I would like to see a deal that has better, real protective teeth for labor and environmental law, strong protections for American sovereignty and better protections for food safety and more.

"Bottom line, I want a trade deal that protects American jobs and lifts our wages right here at home. If we vote for TPA, we will have no ability to make it better. For this trade deal, or any other trade deal in the next six years under any president, if we want the American people to have a voice, a real voice, we must retain our authority to impact trade deals and vote against TPA. and all votes that affect it today."

###