Grassley Praises Committee Passage of Trade Agreement Bills

Grassley Praises Committee Passage of Trade Agreement Bills

? Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today praised the unanimous committee approval of legislation implementing the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Committee passage, coupled with Judiciary Committee passage, clears the way for full Senate consideration, expected as early as next week.

"Without trade promotion authority, the United States fell behind on trade," Grassley said. "Now we're back at the negotiating table. We're knocking down unfair barriers to our products so U.S. companies can compete on a level playing field around the world. And, when U.S. exports grow, our economy grows. All of this means new opportunities for American farmers and workers."

Grassley said the trade agreements are the first to be considered under Trade Promotion Authority procedures since Congress granted the President Trade Promotion Authority last August. Grassley advanced Trade Promotion Authority as a leader of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade. Under Trade Promotion Authority, the President negotiates trade agreements and then submits them to Congress for expedited consideration and a vote.