Trade with foreign nations is a crucial part of our economy and, when done fairly and properly, should be promoted by our government. The so-called “free-trade” agreements, put in place by previous Congresses, however, have not been fair. In fact these agreements, like NAFTA and CAFTA, have failed most American workers and families. That is why I have repeatedly spoken out against and voted against new unfair trade agreements in that model, like the Peru Free Trade Agreement.

As a member of Congress, I am committed to creating a new direction for America’s trade agreements – a direction that protects American jobs and helps American workers.

I was also proud to support the first minimum wage increase in a decade to help working families. This increase in the federal minimum wage is the first step toward a stronger economy for all Americans. Effective July 2007 the minimum wage was increased $0.70, and will be raised two more times by $0.70 in July 2008 and July 2009. This increase of $2.10 over two years, from $5.15 to $7.25, will increase the annual income of a full-time minimum wage worker by $4,400 a year.

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Congressman Shuler chairs a hearing in the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship

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