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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Rogers said today he was disappointed a Free Trade bill with Vietnam, various African nations, and Haiti passed the House of Representatives, saying the legislation could further harm the Third District’s struggling textile industry and give countries like Vietnam, Haiti and China another unfair advantage for increasing exports duty-free to the United States.
“I have said it time and again: Congress should work to level the playing field, and ensure foreign countries like Vietnam, Haiti and China play by the rules,” Rogers said. “Unfortunately, according to the Third District textile firms I have spoken with, this bill could very well place East Alabama workers and employers at a further disadvantage and allow a possible “back door” for importing increased numbers of state-subsidized foreign goods.”
In September, Rogers signed a letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (IL) and Majority Leader John Boehner (OH) asking for H.R. 6142, the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006, to be pulled from consideration. Rogers said he was disappointed the bill was passed Friday 212 to 184 in conjunction with the Vietnam trade bill as H.R. 6406.
Rogers said despite years of job losses, the East Alabama textile industry remains a key part of the Third District’s economy. He said he was concerned, for example, that Vietnam textile and clothing exports to the United States, which have grown more than 5,700 percent since 2001, would grow even more under the legislation.
Last week, Rogers wrote Majority Leader Boehner (OH) to allow a vote on the trade bill separately rather than including it in a package of popular tax, energy, and Medicare provisions.
“While the global economy has indeed arrived in Alabama, Congress should not forget its responsibility to our workers,” Rogers said. “When countries like China refuse to play by the rules, it is up to us to do what’s right to stand up for our interests.”
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