Economists almost universally understand that freer trade between nations is a net positive for businesses and consumers in each country. National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has a long history of supporting efforts to expand economic freedom by reducing trade barriers and liberalizing trade between nations.
With the recent passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), a potent tool to negotiate and finalize free trade agreements, NTU decided to look at how sitting United States Senators who are potential 2016 presidential candidates have voted on recent consequential trade bills and agreements. [1] The results are mixed, but it is possible to get a general sense of where these candidates stand on free trade, a pillar of economic freedom.
NTU encourages presidential primary voters to keep candidates’ trade records in mind when they cast their ballots.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) – Senator Ted Cruz of Texas was first elected to the United States Senate in 2012. As a result, Senator Cruz was not in office during votes on the South Korea, Panama, Colombia, or the Dominican Republic-Central America (CAFTA-DR) free trade agreements.
His record on TPA is inconsistent. Despite voting for an earlier version of TPA and penning a joint editorial in support of the legislation with Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) in the Wall Street Journal, Senator Cruz unexpectedly decided to change his position and voted against final passage of the bill this week.
Though his trade record is more limited and varied than other presidential candidates, Senator Cruz, to his credit, has voted against agriculture subsidies and expansions of so-called “Buy American” provisions which raise the cost of government projects.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was first elected to the United States Senate in 2002. His record on trade is decidedly uneven. On the positive side, Senator Graham recently voted in favor of TPA and in 2011 he supported trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. Conversely, Senator Graham opposed final passage of CAFTA-DR in 2005, after supporting an earlier version.
It is worth noting that Senator Graham has supported efforts to address supposed currency manipulation, as well as multiple farm bills full of agriculture subsidies. These are misguided positions at odds with freer trade.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) – Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was first elected to the United States Senate in 2010. Senator Paul disappointingly voted against passage of TPA, despite having an otherwise solid record on trade. In 2011, Senator Paul voted for passage of free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia.
He has opposed attempts to expand so-called “Buy American” provisions which are tantamount to tariffs on imports. In addition, Senator Paul opposed the 2012 farm bill which was riddled with agriculture subsidies, and has supported efforts to eliminate agriculture subsidies. Finally, Senator Paul has resisted currency manipulation efforts in the Senate.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) – Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was first elected to the United States Senate in 2010. Over the course of his first term in the Senate, Senator Rubio’s record on trade is largely very good. Though Senator Rubio did not cast a vote on final passage of TPA, he did back an earlier version of the bill. Most importantly, he voted for the narrowly passed procedural motion on TPA that was essential for its passage. In 2011, Senator Rubio in favor of free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia.
To his credit, he voted against the 2012 and 2013 farm bills, which provided substantial agriculture subsidies, has opposed efforts to expand so-called “Buy American” provisions, and resisted populist attempts to sanction foreign countries for alleged currency manipulation. However, Senator Rubio’s record on agriculture subsidies is blemished by consistent votes against efforts to reform and cut back on sugar subsidies.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) – Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont was first elected to the United States Senate in 2006. Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Sanders served in the United States House of Representatives for 16 years. His record on free trade is among the worst in the entire United States Congress.
Recently, Senator Sanders voted against TPA and was among the most vocal opponents of the legislation. In 2011, Senator Sanders voted against trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia. While a member of the House of Representatives, then-Congressman Sanders voted against CAFTA-DR.
Senator Sanders has a long history of opposing free trade. He continues to support outdated farm bills that are full of agriculture subsidies. Likewise, he backs sanctions against alleged currency manipulators and supports so-called “Buy American” provisions which considerably raise the cost of government projects.
[1] NTU used TPA (Senate roll call number 219 of 2015); United States-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement (Senate roll call number 161 of 2011); United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (Senate roll call number 162 of 2011); United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (Senate roll call number 163 of 2011); and Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (Senate roll call number 209 of 2005; House roll call number 443 of 2005). In addition, NTU surveyed votes cast by these current Senators on farm bills, agriculture subsidies, currency manipulation sanctions, and Buy American proposals.