Pascrell Trade Amendments Strengthen
American Manufacturing
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), New Jersey’s only member of the House Ways and Means Committee charged with overseeing international trade policy, recently offered four amendments to the fast track trade authority legislation that would strengthen American manufacturing and increase U.S. food safety.
“Strengthening the American manufacturing industry will ensure the middle class will remain the foundation of our nation,” stated Pascrell, a member of the Trade Subcommittee. “My amendments were simple. We want safe and healthy food for our family. Allowing the federal government to Buy American is a no brainer. We don’t want China to manipulate its currency to harm our industry. Trade deals need tough rules to ensure that manufacturing, autos and textiles are protected. Unfortunately, my friends on the other side of the aisle don’t seem to agree and instead have taken every opportunity to undermine manufacturing here at home. We cannot undermine our domestic producers and we must ensure that our workers are our priority.”
Rep. Pascrell offered the following four amendments to H.R. 1890, Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015:
Food Safety
This amendment would prohibit trade agreements that permit the import of food, feed, or food ingredients or products that do not meet or exceed U.S. standards with respect to food safety, pesticides, inspections, packaging, and labeling into the United States from a country that is a party to the trade agreement.
Bolster “Buy American” Provisions
This amendment would prohibit trade agreements that weaken, undermine, or necessitate the waiver of the Buy American Act.
Sense of Congress on China, TPP, and currency manipulation
This amendment expresses the sense of Congress that China should not join the Trans-Pacific Partnership until both chambers of Congress certifies that the country has not intervened in its exchange rate for a year and has fully transitioned to a market economy.
Rules of Origin
This amendment would prohibit trade agreements that do not include rules of origin to ensure that the benefits of the trade agreement accrue to the parties of the trade agreement, particularly with respect to goods produced in the U.S. and goods that incorporate materials produced in the U.S.
– Office of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
