U.S. House Says No On Trade Adjustment Assistance, Yes On Trade Promotion Authority

Arkansas’ four U.S. representatives voted Friday to approve Trade Promotion Authority for the President, as the U.S. House voted down a key first part of the overall trade package.

The House voted 219-212 in favor of the second part of the trade package (Trade Promotion Authority), with Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, French Hill, R-Little Rock, Steve Womack, R-Rogers and Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs voting yes on the bill.

The vote was just minutes after the House overwhelmingly defeated a bill involving so-called Trade Adjustment Assistance by a 302-126 margin.

Crawford, Hill, Womack and Westerman each voted no on the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill, which is expected to go back before the House next week.

The trade adjustment assistance bill must be passed before the trade package can be signed into law, officials said Friday.

On the assistance bill, 158 Republicans and 144 Democrats voted no while 86 Republicans and 40 Democrats voted yes.

According to the Department of Labor’s website, the program provides aid to workers who have lost their jobs or whose hours and wages were reduced as a result of increased exports.

President Barack Obama went to the Capitol Friday morning to lobby Democratic lawmakers on the bills. The lobbying attempt was unsuccessful, the political website, the Hill reported.

“Defying President Obama, House Democrats on Friday rallied to vote down legislation granting aid to workers displaced by trade, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the fast-track legislation that had been scheduled to hit the floor,” the story with the headline, “House Deals Humiliating Blow to Obama in Trade Fight,” noted.

TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY
According to the U.S. Trade Representative’s website, Trade Promotion Authority was approved by Congress in 1974 to set up negotiating objectives and priorities for trade agreements as well as setting up consultation and notification requirements for the President to follow in the negotiation process.

From there, Congress gives the agreement a yes or a no vote, without amendment.

DELEGATION RESPONSE
Crawford, Hill and Westerman said late Friday that the Trade Promotion Authority bill would benefit the state and a representative for Cong. Womack echoed their positions.

“Today I voted to bring more transparency and accountability to the Obama administration’s trade negotiations. With tens of thousands of agriculture and manufacturing jobs in Arkansas dependent on exports, it is crucial for the United States to negotiate strong trade agreements that bring new market opportunities,” Crawford said. “Elected representatives like myself must also have a say in the terms of the agreement so that we can achieve the best deal for Arkansas industries and jobs. TPA’s strong Congressional oversight and negotiating objectives prevent the Obama administration from finalizing a bad agreement. It gives us an opportunity to open up new markets for Arkansas products instead of leaving them open to countries like China.”

“One of the loudest criticisms surrounding TPA is that it gives the President unlimited power in negotiating trade deals. This is simply not true. TPA strengthens the system of checks and balances in the federal government and gives Congress and the American people a say in trade negotiations. With TPA, we are, in fact, intensifying — not weakening — Congressional oversight to all future trade negotiations,” Hill said. “Currently, trade supports more than 38 million American jobs and over 27,000 jobs in Arkansas. We have an opportunity to grow this number and significantly expand our local and national economies. With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside of the United States, favorable trade agreements give farmers and manufacturers in Arkansas easier access to billions of new customers. TPA is the first step in fighting to open these markets. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure that trade deals are favorable for American and Arkansan families and that American workers and innovators lead and thrive in today’s global economy.”

Westerman agreed.

“My vote for TPA is a vote to give Congress the ultimate authority in trade deals. With TPA, the president will have to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by Congress when negotiating trade deals with other countries. TPA places restrictions on the president’s authority to negotiate, with Congress directing negotiating objectives. It requires the president to publish updated summaries throughout the negotiating process and requires the administration to make trade agreements public for 60 days before an up or down vote by Congress. TPA is not a trade deal, it simply instructs future trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership as directed by Congress.”

Womack, who presided over the House Friday during much of the debate, is also supportive of the bill, his spokesman said Friday.

“Congressman Womack was proud to vote in support of TPA, which will expand trade relations and create new opportunities for Arkansans – and all Americans – while demanding accountability from the Administration throughout the trade negotiation process,” Claire Burghoff said. “He looks forward to TPA being signed into law after continued consideration of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314, which is expected next week.”