Hatch Urges Support for Lighthizer

Utah Senator Says, “Mr. Lighthizer will have the task of holding our trading partners accountable, ensuring that Americans don’t pay more for the products that their families need, and helping American businesses and workers sell more of their goods and services around the globe. I am confident that Mr. Lighthizer is up to the task.”

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) highlighted Bob Lighthizer’s experience in trade policy and urged colleagues to support his nomination to be the next United States Trade Representative (USTR):

“Mr. Lighthizer’s years of experience in public service, including as Staff Director for the Senate Finance Committee, as Deputy USTR during the Reagan Administration, and in private practice make him extremely well qualified to serve as our nation’s trade representative,” Hatch said. “Mr. Lighthizer’s knowledge and experience will be vital to his service in this position and vital to our country.”

Hatch went on to note the importance of the USTR position and reiterated the need for Congressional consultation in advancing a strong trade agenda.

“The USTR is Congress’s first and most important point of contact when it comes to trade policy,” Hatch said. “I have made it clear to Mr. Lighthizer that I believe consultation on trade policy between Congress and Administration is essential, particularly if our agreements are going to adhere to the standards Congress put forward in the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, the statute that included the most recent reauthorization of Trade Promotion Authority.”

The complete speech as prepared for delivery is below:

     Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be the next United States Trade Representative.

     Mr. Lighthizer was reported out of the Finance Committee unanimously, and I hope that he receives a similarly strong, bipartisan vote here on the floor.

     Mr. President, by statute, Congress has designated the USTR as the primary official for developing and coordinating U.S. trade policy, advising the President on trade, and leading international trade negotiations.

     The USTR must also report directly to and consult closely with Congress on a wide range of issues affecting international commerce.

     The USTR is Congress’s first and most important point of contact when it comes to trade policy. Therefore, in order for Congress to have an effective voice in shaping our nation’s trade agenda, we need to have a fully staffed and functional USTR office.

     For that reason, I have been very critical of the pointless and unprecedented delays we’ve faced in filling this position due to some unreasonable demands from some of my friends on the other side of the aisle. This delay has only served to weaken Congress’s position in trade policy and hampered our ability to provide the new administration with substantive input.

     Despite this ill-advised delay, I am pleased that Mr. Lighthizer’s nomination has finally been brought to the floor.

     Mr. Lighthizer’s years of experience in public service, including as Staff Director for the Senate Finance Committee, as Deputy USTR during the Reagan Administration, and in private practice make him extremely well qualified to serve as our nation’s trade representative. Mr. Lighthizer’s knowledge and experience will be vital to his service in this position and vital to our country.

     Put simply, growing our economy and creating better paying jobs for American workers requires increased U.S. trade.

     Toward that end, I have spoken to Mr. Lighthizer about the importance of removing trade barriers for American businesses, workers, and consumers, and where those barriers already have been removed, maintaining the status quo.

     I know there is quite a bit of discussion going around about potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. And, as I told Mr. Lighthizer, there are definitely opportunities to update and improve NAFTA, but it is important that the administration follow the spirit of the Hippocratic oath: First do no harm.

     Mr. Lighthizer and I have also discussed the importance of protecting U.S. intellectual property rights around the globe through strong enforcement and better rules in trade agreements. I believe he recognizes the importance of this priority and I will work to ensure that this issue plays a prominent role in our future trade negotiations.

     I have also made it clear to Mr. Lighthizer that I believe consultation on trade policy between Congress and Administration is essential, particularly if our agreements are going to adhere to the standards Congress put forward in the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, the statute that included the most recent reauthorization of Trade Promotion Authority.

     On this key point, I believe Mr. Lighthizer and I are in agreement.

     As U.S. Trade Representative, Mr. Lighthizer will have the task of holding our trading partners accountable, ensuring that Americans don’t pay more for the products that their families need, and helping American businesses and workers sell more of their goods and services around the globe.

     This is not an easy job, Mr. President, but I am confident that Mr. Lighthizer is up to the task. And, as Chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over our nation’s trade policy, I am committed to working with him to ensure that we advance a trade agenda that will grow our economy, create more jobs, and expand market access around the globe for America’s farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.

     With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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