U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Trade Promotional Authority Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin issued the following statement on today’s announcement of trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI):

“Instead of handing over fast-track authority to the Administration, Congress should be increasing oversight of unfair trade deals that stack the deck against American workers. These agreements have been negotiated behind closed doors with no input from the workers whose lives will be most affected by them. Unfortunately, U.S. negotiators haven’t learned from the failures of previous trade deals and rushing a trade package through Congress only means we will double down on these mistakes with additional corporate giveaways that hurt Wisconsin workers. Renewal of fast-track authority without significant reforms is unacceptable and is a direct blow to the middle class and hard working families in Wisconsin who deserve to compete on a level playing field with foreign competitors. I will not accept more of the same failed promises from these unfair, NAFTA-style trade deals.”

In February, Baldwin spoke on the Senate floor about current U.S. trade negotiations.