Senator Baldwin Stands up for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Workers, Opposes Outdated “Fast Track”

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined her colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressing concern about the prospect of renewing the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – better known as Fast Track – that lapsed in 2007. The Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing on TPA on Thursday.
 
They write, “As the TPA that was enacted over a decade ago is inadequate for addressing the complex trade agreements of the 21st century, it is clear that renewal of TPA in a form that resembles that framework would be unacceptable. Instead, TPA must be replaced with a new trade agreement negotiation and approval process appropriate to 21st-century trade agreements and consistent with the constitutional role of Congress in trade.”
 
The United States is currently negotiating two significant trade agreements, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Together, these two agreements would encompass more than 60 percent of the global economy and more than half of U.S. trade.
 
The letter, led by Senator Franken (D-MN), demands increased Congressional oversight for trade deals, stronger enforcement for currency manipulation, better labor and environmental controls, and increasing American competitiveness, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The text of the letter can be found below.
 
In addition, Senator Baldwin recently introduced legislation along with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to crack down on unfair trade practices, level the playing field for Wisconsin manufacturers, and help create middle class jobs in Wisconsin. The Level the Playing Field in Global Trade Act would ensure that sub-standard wages, workplace safety practices, and environmental protections are properly accounted for as unfair subsidies by foreign countries when calculating American duties intended to offset cheating. It also rewards companies that meet high standards on a global basis in wages, workplace safety and environmental compliance with streamlined trade and protection from enforcement actions.

Text of the letter below and here:

January 15, 2014
 
The Honorable Harry Reid                            
Majority Leader                                             
United States Senate                                     
522 Hart Senate Office Building                   
Washington, DC 20510                                 
 
Dear Majority Leader Reid:
 
We write to you today about the upcoming trade agenda.  More specifically, we are writing to express deep concern about the prospect of renewing the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – better known as Fast Track – that lapsed in 2007.  As the TPA that was enacted over a decade ago is inadequate for addressing the complex trade agreements of the 21st century, it is clear that renewal of TPA in a form that resembles that framework would be unacceptable. Instead, TPA must be replaced with a new trade agreement negotiation and approval process appropriate to 21st-century trade agreements and consistent with the constitutional role of Congress in trade.
 
As you know, the United States is currently negotiating two significant trade agreements, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  Together, these two agreements would encompass more than 60 percent of the global economy and more than half of U.S. trade.  Prior to the consideration of these agreements, there are a number of trade policy initiatives that will require Congressional attention, including consideration of TPA and reauthorizing the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.  As these initiatives come up for consideration, potentially in a package, we believe it is imperative that we improve upon Congressional consultation, while also including provisions to maximize economic and job growth at home.
 
It has been more than ten years since Congress considered legislation granting Trade Promotion Authority.  In that time, the global economy has changed, and with it our trade policy.  The trade agreements currently being negotiated are complex economic agreements between large groups of nations encompassing a wide variety of issues ranging from state-owned enterprises to intellectual property. They have profound effects on our nation’s economy and laws and the communities that we represent.  As such, the terms of Congressional involvement require a number of reforms.  Specifically, the last TPA framework created a Congressional Oversight Group (COG) that has proven ineffective at meaningfully increasing member involvement or understanding of our trade negotiations.  We must do better.  Any bill reestablishing an expedited  legislative process for approving trade agreements must improve upon this consultation body, broaden the scope of members to include those beyond the committees of jurisdiction, improve access to negotiating information for Congress and the public, and institute strong mechanisms to certify that our negotiating objectives are achieved.
 
We are also concerned about any larger trade package of which such legislation spelling out a new approval process would be a part. While TAA can be an essential component of our trade policy, we need a broader effort to ensure American workers are competing on a fair and even playing field.  A large trade package should also include provisions to promote our nation’s competitiveness. For instance, for far too long our trade policies have hurt our domestic manufacturing sector instead of helping it. We must not allow our global competitors to continue challenging American leadership in manufacturing and innovation. We believe any package should include provisions to address currency manipulation, stronger mechanisms to address unfair labor practices, the ability of communities to preserve their values, strong trade enforcement policies and should provide innovative solutions to finance improvements to our crumbling infrastructure.
 
We look forward to working with you to achieve these goals.  We understand that the Senate Finance Committee may soon take up legislation on the trade agreement approval process, and as non-Committee members, we believe that we must use this moment to advance a more comprehensive approach to trade policy that prepares workers and businesses to take advantage of new opportunities and promote domestic production and jobs.  And we must not return to an outdated and inadequate legislative process for shaping and approving trade agreements. Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
United States Senators Al Franken,
Jeff Merkley,
Tammy Baldwin,       
Tom Harkin,
Elizabeth Warren,      
Christopher Murphy,
Richard Blumenthal,
Carl Levin,
Bernard Sanders,
Edward J. Markey,
Sheldon Whitehouse,
Jack Reed