Hatch: Open Debate on Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority

In Speech, Utah Senator says, “This debate will determine whether we want to grow our economy and create high-paying jobs for American workers or yield to the demands of ideologues and special interests. And, it will determine whether we, as a nation, want to take the lead in setting the rules for the world marketplace or sit on the sidelines and let other countries do it for us.

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) called on the Senate to approve a procedural motion that would allow debate on Finance-passed bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and called for swift passage of the bill.

“I support free trade and open markets for U.S. exporters and job creators. I support new opportunities for American farmers and ranchers and the workers they employ. And, I support expanding American influence in the most vibrant and strategic regions of the world. The best way for Congress to help our country achieve those goals is to renew Trade Promotion Authority as soon as possible,” Hatch said.

The complete speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:

Mr. President, soon the Senate will vote, once again, on whether to move to legislation that will help shape the future of America’s trade policy. Needless to say, I’m hoping for a much different result this time around.

This vote will set the stage for an important debate, quite likely the most significant debate we’ll have in this chamber all year.

This debate will determine whether we want to grow our economy and create high-paying jobs for American workers or yield to the demands of ideologues and special interests. And, it will determine whether we, as a nation, want to take the lead in setting the rules for the world marketplace or sit on the sidelines and let other countries do it for us.

It should be pretty clear where I stand in this debate. If anyone here is unsure about that, they are likely beyond help at this point.

I support free trade and open markets for U.S. exporters and job creators.

I support new opportunities for American farmers and ranchers and the workers they employ.

And, I support expanding American influence in the most vibrant and strategic regions of the world.

The best way for Congress to help our country achieve those goals is to renew Trade Promotion Authority as soon as possible. That’s what we’ll be debating, Mr. President, if this vote goes the way I hope it will.

TPA is the most effective tool in Congress’s trade arsenal. TPA ensures that Congress sets the objectives for our trade negotiators and that those negotiators will be able to reach the best deals possible. Without TPA, we have no way holding the administration accountable in trade negotiations and no way of making sure our country can get a good deal.

Getting TPA renewed is President Obama’s top legislative priority. And, as the Chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over trade, it is a very high priority for me as well.

The TPA bill that will be brought before the Senate represents a bipartisan, bicameral effort to advance our nation’s trade interests. The legislation we’ll be debating will also include provisions to reauthorize Trade Adjustment Assistance, or TAA, which I know is a high priority for many of my colleagues.

It has taken a long time, a lot of work, and no small amount of compromise to get us to this point, Mr. President. People from both parties have put in enormous efforts just to give us a chance to have this debate here on the Senate floor.

I want thank my colleagues for their work thus far in this effort, but also remind them that we’re not there yet.

Now, I’m well aware that not all of my colleagues share my views on trade. And, I expect that they’ll make those views abundantly clear in the coming days.

I’m looking forward to it, Mr. President. The American people deserve a spirited debate on these issues. And, of course, they deserve an opportunity to see this chamber function like the great deliberative body it is.

Put simply, Mr. President, the wait has gone on long enough. Let’s move to the TPA bill and do some good for the American people.

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