WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI) issued the following joint statement on President-elect Obama’s selection of Ron Kirk to the post of United States Trade Representative (USTR):

“We look forward to working with Mr. Kirk to continue building a new U.S. trade policy that will stand up for our workers, farmers and businesses while opening new markets to sell our goods and services.  We have made progress in recent years toward building a new bipartisan trade policy that spreads the benefits of trade more broadly, holds our trading partners accountable to the rules, takes on the new challenges of the global marketplace and prepares all Americans to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that globalization can offer.  Mr. Kirk has proven himself to be an intelligent, strategic leader who understands the needs of our communities enabling him to be a powerful advocate for America’s interests in the global marketplace.” 

###