Calls on President and Congressional Leaders to Fund Trade Assistance Before Considering New Trade Agreements
Washington, D.C. – In response to increasing signals from the Obama Administration that it is preparing to move forward on three proposed free trade agreements – Colombia, Korea, and Panama – Representative Heath Shuler is taking steps to protect workers from the likely negative impact on jobs in North Carolina and across the United States these agreements would have.
“I watched a once vibrant textile industry leave North Carolina after the passage of NAFTA and CAFTA. Nobody can convince me more free trade agreements will help create jobs in North Carolina or anywhere else in the country,” Rep. Shuler said. “If the Administration and Congressional leaders want to move forward on new free trade agreements, then first we should be doing everything we can to ensure American workers are protected.”
Shuler has called on the President, the Speaker of the House, and Minority Leader, to ensure passage of a strong package of worker protections through the reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act prior to the consideration of any new trade agreements.
“While Members of Congress will disagree on the harm or benefits brought about by free trade agreements, no one should disagree that we should be working to protect and help retrain American workers whose jobs go overseas,” Shuler continued.
TAA provides assistance to qualifying workers who lose their jobs directly due to increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. Renewal of TAA will support Americans who need training and other services in order to remain employed.
“Protecting American workers and increasing jobs in these economic times is our top priority. TAA will not make the perils of free trade go away, but Democrats and Republicans should agree that we have to do everything possible to protect our workers. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure TAA reaches the floor before any trade agreements are debated in the House,” said Shuler.
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Rep. Shuler Working to Protect American Workers from Unfair Trade Deals
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