NTU urges all Senators to vote “YES” on cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1314, the legislative vehicle for the “Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.” This legislation would enact Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which would help facilitate and expedite agreements between the United States and foreign trading partners.
TPA or “fast track” is an important legislative procedure used since the 1970s and last enacted into law in 2002, to pave the way for significant trade deals that have fostered greater prosperity and economic liberty. TPA provides the most evenly paved path possible for adopting new pacts that will help grow the economy, create jobs, foster stronger relationships with foreign nations, and help Americans of all economic backgrounds.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative, exports accounted for 13.5 percent of the U.S. economy and supported 11.3 million jobs in 2013. At the same time, the benefits of imports are often overlooked or downplayed, despite the fact that they help lower the cost of goods and services while boosting employment. A 2013 study by Trade Partnerships Worldwide explains, “U.S. imports supported more than 16 million net, direct and indirect American jobs, representing 9.3 percent of total U.S. employment.” Additional trade pacts will only increase the benefits to our nation that come from free and open commerce.
The TPA legislation before the Senate strikes a reasonable balance between executive and legislative authority while improving transparency measures. The bill preserves the essential role of Congressional oversight by setting out 150 defined objectives for the Administration to achieve during negotiations and creating a process by which Members of Congress can directly interact with the U.S. Trade Representative. In addition, the Senate and House committees of jurisdiction are provided with shut-off mechanisms to withdraw TPA should concerns regarding those objectives arise. And any trade agreement negotiated under TPA will be made public for at least 60 days before taking effect. Together, these provisions provide common-sense safeguards for taxpayers.
While NTU strongly supports TPA, we have serious concerns about the potential inclusion of an expansion of Trade Adjustment Assistance in this legislation. NTU urges Senators to oppose procedural changes that would bind TPA and TAA. At the same time, the vast economic benefits that would come from enactment of TPA outweigh the negatives associated with TAA. On net, enactment of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 would be a tremendous economic boon for America’s taxpayers and help preserve our global competitiveness.
Roll call votes on H.R. 1314 will be significantly weighted in NTU’s annual Rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700