Dear Mr. Komara,
Thank you for contacting me regarding trade promotion authority legislation, or "fast track" trade legislation. I voted against fast track trade legislation for reasons which follow, and appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.
International trade has the potential to strengthen partnerships with our allies, open new markets for businesses, and create well-paying jobs for workers in our country. Trade deals need to work for middle class families and workers across the United States. Trade must be a two-way street, and trade agreements, including those negotiated under fast track authority, should ensure that American workers and businesses are on an equal playing field with foreign competitors. Fast track trade legislation needs to include:
Provisions that ensure U.S. manufacturing jobs do not continue to shift abroad. The Economic Policy Institute has estimated that between 1994, the year the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) removed trade barriers with Mexico, and 2011, trade deficits with that country eliminated 682,000 U.S. jobs, including 415,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs.
Provisions that prioritize strong, enforceable labor, environmental, public health, consumer, and related standards that put American workers and businesses on an equal playing field with foreign competitors. Past fast track legislation have not prioritized these standards, and, as a result, the United States has entered into trade agreements under fast track authority that have hurt whole communities and industries. I am not convinced that this bill is different.
Provisions to ensure that such standards are actually maintained and that violations of these standards are actually enforced.
Provisions to crack down on currency manipulation.
Provisions to ensure that Federal, State, and local laws cannot be overruled by foreign competitors under dispute resolution or other mechanisms.
Fast track trade legislation gives the President the authority to negotiate trade deals that the House and Senate would vote up or down, with no opportunities to make changes. On May 22, 2015, I voted against legislation that would give the President this authority, but the bill passed the U.S. Senate on a 62-37 vote. You can read more about my views on the matter, here: http://1.usa.gov/1FC5PZ2 .
On June 12, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives took up the bill. The House decided to split the bill into two parts, with each part getting a separate vote. The House had to pass both parts in order for the bill to pass and be sent to President Obama. The House voted down the first part of the bill, which would have renewed and expanded the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program that provides support to workers who lose their jobs due to international trade. The House then voted on the second part, which would have provided the President with trade promotion authority. This part was approved by the House on a 219-211 vote. However, because both parts of the bill did not pass, House Republican Leadership is currently working to bring the bill up for another vote for passage.
Fast track authority would allow the President to complete several trade agreements that are currently being negotiated, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This agreement has been negotiated for several years, but the text of the agreement has not been reviewed by very many—including members of Congress, outside experts, labor unions, environmental and consumer advocacy groups, the general public, and others. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about what may be included in the final agreement, and whether or not it will promote U.S. jobs and strengthen the middle class. That's one reason why I led the attached letter with several of my Senate colleagues to U.S. Trade Representative Michael B. Froman to request he release advice from the Labor Advisory Commission (LAC) on Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy about TPP. This disclosure could help determine whether or not the agreement will actually help American workers.
While trade agreements that may not promote U.S. jobs or strengthen the middle class are front and center in Congress right now, we should be focused on passing legislation that we know will create good paying jobs and economic security. For example, Congress should be focused on policies like increasing the minimum wage, investing in transportation and community development, making college more affordable, and passing comprehensive immigration reform. Please be assured that I will continue to fight for these and other related policies during the 114th Congress.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If you would like to stay in touch with me on this or other issues of importance to you, please visit my website at: http://www.hirono.senate.gov . Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future if I may be of assistance to you in any way.
Aloha,
Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator
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