“This is one of the most important bills this session, occurring at a time when American workers are looking to the government for more help.  This bill goes in the opposite direction, sending jobs overseas, supporting unfair trade policies and contributing to poor working conditions and environmental damage in other countries,” Schakowsky said.

She added, “Our nation’s trade policies must promote democracy and accountability, workers must be given a voice, countries and companies that attack human rights or women’s rights must not be rewarded, child labor and sweatshops must be abolished, and we must adopt the highest environmental standards instead of countenancing environmental degradation.  We cannot settle for anything less than a trade policy that promotes both economic justice and a secure economic future for our nation.  This bill does neither.”

“The United States’ trade policies cannot continue to ignore critical issues such as labor rights, human rights, and environmental protections.  Because I believe in international trade, I look forward to the day when I can support a trade agreement that is fair, balanced, and consistent with our democratic values,” Schakowsky concluded.