Today, the House passed legislation approving trade promotion authority, or TPA. The bill establishes an unprecedented level of consultation and transparency requirements, ensuring that Congress and the American people know the full impact of any trade agreement. It also gives clear instructions for trade negotiators to follow while establishing additional consequences for failing to comply, including withdrawal of TPA. "I commend Chairman Ryan for putting together a TPA bill that paves the way for negotiating new, high-standard free trade agreements while simultaneously ensuring we hold the Administration accountable," Chairman Conaway said. "This bill includes the strongest measures to date for ensuring that the President sticks to the negotiating objectives laid down by Congress and prevents President Obama from acting unilaterally. Trade is incredibly important to agriculture, with exports accounting for nearly one-third of total U.S. farm income. With 95 percent of the world's population residing outside of the United States, it is imperative that the U.S. works to expand market access while eliminating international barriers to trade. With TPA in place, our negotiators will have the credibility necessary to conclude the most effective trade agreements possible."
6.19.2015