Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the Senate’s vote against turning to debate on legislation to restore Trade Promotion Authority. Grassley is a senior member and former chairman of the Finance Committee, which oversees trade.
“It’s disappointing for senators to refuse to allow a trade bill to come up for debate, especially those who voted for the bill in committee just a few weeks ago. The current Senate majority leader is working to bring the Senate back to regular order from the previous leadership, including the ability to offer amendments and hold debate, so the concerns that senators might not get to offer amendments ring a little hollow. Also, as I’ve said before, the President needs to get involved if he wants to see trade expansion happen. If trade really is a top priority, he ought to put the bully pulpit of the presidency behind getting it done. In the meantime, the situation is frustrating to the agricultural producers, manufacturers, services providers and everybody else who sees the potential for U.S. economic growth in trade expansion.”
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