WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin, Ranking Member of the Trade Subcommittee of the Ways & Means Committee, announced today that Democratic members of the Committee have sent a letter to President George Bush urging him to quickly appoint a new U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) who continues to have full Cabinet rank.

The letter to the President, which was signed by 11 Democrats from the Ways & Means Committee, expressed serious concern about reports that the Administration is considering downgrading the USTR position. "We hope ... the Administration will maintain a strong USTR with full Cabinet rank in name and in practice capable of taking its traditional leadership role on international trade issues."

Rep. Cardin stressed the need for the Administration to act quickly to appoint a new USTR "who has the full authority and power to act on behalf of the United States in trade matters. We are at a crossroads in U.S. trade policy and face numerous challenges. Our $617 billion trade deficit for 2004 indicates our manufacturing sector is being threatened by unfair trading practices from Europe, China and other nations. We need a strong voice in the Administration speaking up for American companies and workers."

"The American people need a strong advocate at the negotiating table," said Charles B. Rangel, Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Committee. " Four years ago, the Bush Administration questioned the need for a Cabinet-rank USTR. I thought with the importance of international trade today to all our lives, that this issue would have been resolved once and for all. I hope the President will appoint an individual soon and reaffirm the critical role that our trade negotiators play in creating new opportunities and asserting the rights of American workers and companies."

Congress created the USTR to be an aggressive advocate for the interests of American workers, farmers and businesses. Over the past 30 years, Congress has empowered the USTR with the power to open foreign markets, protect U.S. intellectual property rights, and enforce trade agreements and trade laws that will allow the United States to compete on a level playing field in the international arena.

In the letter to the President, Rep. Cardin also urged the Administration to be more aggressive in bringing cases to the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The Administration’s track record to date of filing only 12 cases in the the WTO in four years ... remains a point of great concern." The Clinton Administration filed an average of 11 cases per year to the WTO.

In addition to Reps. Cardin and Rangel, other Ways & Means Committee Democrats signing the letter include: Reps. Sander Levin, D-MI; Jim McDermott, D-WA; John Lewis, D-GA; Richard E Neal, D-MA; Michael R. McNulty, D-NY; Xavier Becerra, D-CA; Earl Pomeroy, D-ND; John Larson, D-CT; and Rahn Emanuel, D-IL.

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