Dreier Lauds Bipartisan Passage of TPA

“Expanding trade opportunities will be key
to getting our economy back on track”

December 6, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it a tremendous statement of “America’s global leadership and commitment to freedom across the globe,” Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, praised the bipartisan approval today of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001, H.R. 3005. The legislation renews Presidential Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the first time since 1994.

“Trade works for American workers, farmers, consumers, and businesses,” said Dreier, who has long been a leader on trade legislation and the fight for TPA. “With TPA in hand, the President will be able to get the U.S. back to the table and negotiate the trade agreements that will create jobs for American workers, bring down prices for consumers, and allow the U.S. to maintain its leadership role in the global economy. Passage of this bill today is a great step forward into the 21st century economy.”

Every President since Gerald Ford has had the authority to negotiate trade agreements and bring them to Congress for an up or down vote. Today’s House vote was the critical first step in getting TPA to President Bush. Dreier noted that as we work to turn around our foundering economy, expanded trade opportunities will be key to stimulating economic growth.

“The fact is, these trade agreements amount to targeted tax cuts for America’s working families,” Dreier said. “Previous trade agreements have increased the purchasing power of the average family of four up to $2000 per year. We can no longer sit by as agreements that will benefit our workers and consumers are negotiated without us. Now that the President is one step closer to having this critical authority, the world will know we’re ready to get back in the game.”

Dreier applauded the work of Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Phil Crane (R-IL), and Congressmen Cal Dooley (D-CA), Bill Jefferson (D-LA), and John Tanner (D-TN) in crafting the original legislation. “The bipartisan efforts of these members made today’s victory for America’s economic and global leadership possible.”