Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN-8) issued the following statement in response to House passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea with, as well as Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation (TAA), with bipartisan support: 

“Our ailing economy will not be cured through a single ‘jobs bill’ – it will take a comprehensive series of measures, all aimed toward removing government barriers to private-sector job growth and tax relief for employers and small businesses,” said Rep. Cravaack.  

“The bipartisan effort to pass the three free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, which will help America’s farmers, businesses and manufacturers increase our exports and create jobs, represents a good start.  These FTAs will create jobs at home in Minnesota without costing taxpayers a dime and will level the playing field for American exports and boost demand for our products.” 

“Tariffs are killing our industry at the benefit of Canadian producers.  The FTAs would be great news for Minnesota’s agriculture industry,” said Dale Lueck of Aitkin, owner of Nordland Cattle & Timber Company.  “This would be a real job creating shot in the arm for Minnesota, where agricultural exports comprise about 1/3 of total Minnesota production and between 4-5% of total U.S. agricultural exports."

Importantly, the TAA legislation passed by the House provides government benefits to American workers whose jobs are displaced because of foreign trade.  

This year, the House has passed more than a dozen jobs bills that are now awaiting a vote in the Democratic-led Senate.  

Congressman Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.  The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota. 

For more information, please click here.
 

###