Reichert Appointed to President’s Export Council
Washington,
May 17 -
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08), a member of the House Ways & Means Committee and a member of the Trade Working Group, today announced he has accepted an appointment to the President’s Export Council (PEC), the nation’s principle advisory committee on international trade, where he will continue his vocal advocacy for a robust trade agenda and passage of pending free trade agreements.
“I’m honored to accept this appointment to the President’s Export Council – particularly given the current state of our economy and the critical role free trade can play in getting us back on firm footing,” Reichert said. “Free trade can create jobs, and a robust trade agenda is absolutely vital to the well-being and future growth of our economy. I look forward to serving in this role, and continuing my work to open new trade markets, support negotiations of new trade agreements, and fight for implementing the deals we’ve already reached with Korea, Colombia, and Panama.”
Republican Leader John Boehner recognized Reichert’s advocacy in submitting his name for this role: “Congressman Reichert has been a tireless and vocal advocate for opening new markets and approving pending free trade agreements – especially with Korea – that are critical to creating American jobs. Coming from a state where one in every three jobs is connected to trade, Congressman Reichert’s understanding of this issue will undoubtedly be of remarkable value. The President’s Export Council will be well-served by having Congressman Reichert’s credible presence at the table, speaking to the need for America to continue to engage new markets and to define and lead in the global economy.”
Reichert is one of only two Republicans selected – and one of only five House members total – to serve on the Council. The PEC is the principal national advisory committee on international trade. It advises the president on government policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance; promotes export expansion; and provides a forum for discussing and resolving trade-related challenges among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor, and government sectors. President Nixon established the council in 1973. More information can be found on the council’s Web site.
BACKGROUND
Reichert, a long-time, vocal advocate of free trade, has led the fight in Congress in his role on the House Ways & Means Committee, the Trade subcommittee, and as a member of the Trade Working Group to urge the passage of pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Reichert and Adam Smith (WA-09) have garnered the bipartisan support of 88 Members of Congress in urging the Obama Administration to bring the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) before Congress for consideration. 44 Democrats and 44 Republicans from all regions of the country signaled their support for preparing the trade deal for a vote, which has not been approved by Congress since its signing on June 30, 2007.
Reichert was recently honored with the 2010 Trade and Investment Leadership Award by the Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT) for leading the fight to open new markets to trade, ensuring America’s continued prosperity. In 2008, Reichert traveled to Colombia with a bipartisan congressional delegation to meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and other stakeholders to discuss the Colombian agreement. Upon his return to the U.S., Reichert circulated an emergency letter urging his colleagues join as one voice and urge Democratic leadership to reconsider plans to stop a vote on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Further information on Reichert’s trade advocacy is available here.
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