"Over the last year, Senator Daschle has stood like a stone wall in front of every bipartisan economic growth initiative presented on Capitol Hill. As we start a new year, it's a positive step to have the majority leader finally come to the table. Senator Daschle's presented many goals that sound good. Now the test for him is to show the kind of leadership needed to actually reach these goals in a closely divided Senate.
"It's particularly important for Iowa's economy that Sen. Daschle expressed his commitment to Trade Promotion Authority for the President. The Senate Finance Committee voted 18 to 3 in December for a bipartisan TPA bill that I coauthored, so there's strong bipartisan support for moving quickly to pass this legislation on the floor of the Senate. There's no doubt that opening markets around the world is essential to creating new and better paying jobs in Iowa. Increasing the ability of the President to negotiate trade agreements will make a big difference for Iowa farmers and benefit Iowans who work in manufacturing and the service industries. World trade means more opportunities for poorer nations, too. Trade leads to economic and political stability around the world."