Levin Statement at Hearing on Administration's Trade Policy Agenda

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander M. Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement today at a full Committee hearing on the Administration's trade policy agenda.

"I am disappointed that we start today's hearing without action to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance program scheduled to expire on February 12th. TAA has been a good faith effort for nearly 50 years to assist workers who have lost their jobs through trade and globalization. As a result of the 2009 reforms an additional 170,000 workers are eligible for TAA which will help them secure new good paying jobs. Starting Tuesday, tens of thousands of displaced workers will be affected and I urge my Republican colleagues not to let this vital program lapse.

"Congressional Democrats have been actively working to shape a new trade policy that is responsive to the changing dynamics of a global economy. We rejected the passive, hands-off approach of the last administration, embracing expansion of trade in ways that assess its impact and broaden the benefits from expanded trade.

"Carrying out this new policy, we succeeded in pushing for the inclusion of enforceable worker rights and environmental standards, beginning with their incorporation in the Peru FTA. We have fought for vigorous enforcement of basic rules of competition with our trading partners. We have insisted that trade must be a two-way -- not a one-way -- street in critical areas of trade.

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• Trade
• TAA