As a member and former Chairman of the Congressional TVA Caucus, I take oversight of the agency very seriously and understand that any changes to its organization will have a profound impact on the lives of many East Tennesseans.  I read a recent article about TVA outsourcing work and completely agree with Rep. Duncan that we should not outsource jobs overseas to places like China or India. 

Free trade at all costs is a losing proposition.  We have to do more to protect American workers and support regional economic development in Tennessee.  I have talked with Commerce Secretary Don Evans about the problem and urged U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Zoellick to be more aggressive in trade talks. 

TVA needs to reform its contracting practices to outside organizations.  We must insist that TVA cut costs without outsourcing workers!  Some people think it is inevitable that certain American jobs will go offshore, but we have to fight to keep them at home.  They are the lifeblood of our economy.