Washington, Dec 6, 2001 -



Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) recently spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives against Fast Track legislation, saying fast track is a barrier to American jobs, such as the 3200 jobs at LTV Steel in Cleveland. Following are his remarks on fast track:

I rise to oppose fast track. I represent Cleveland, Ohio, a steel producing community, which is fighting valiantly to save 3200 steelworker jobs and to protect the benefits of tens of thousands of retirees.

Fast track is a barrier. Fast track brought us NAFTA. It prohibits amending trade agreements. We could not amend NAFTA Chapter 11, which grants corporate investors in all NAFTA countries the right to challenge any local, state, or federal regulations, which, those corporations say, hurt their profits.

The sovereign authority of all governments is at stake. Taxpayer dollars are at stake. A NAFTA case brought by a foreign owned steel fabrication company is trying to overturn “Buy America” laws that require using American steel in highway projects. NAFTA allows foreign owned companies to challenge our Constitution, our Congress, and our rights to enact American laws.

This would have a catastrophic impact on steelworkers; causing loss of US jobs. American taxpayers are financing the fight for democracy all over the world while our trade laws undermine our democracy here at home.

I will vote against fast track, to protect democracy and to protect American jobs.