(Washington, DC) – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced they had reached an agreement on joint Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. The Senate plans to hold a markup on to-be-introduced legislation next week.

Boustany said: “Trade Promotion Authority is the catalyst for getting the best possible trade deals with Asia and Europe that will drive American economic growth over the next several decades. Our negotiators need the full weight of the United States government – including the commitment of Congress – as they press our trading partners for more favorable terms. This agreement will allow for strong congressional oversight at every juncture to ensure the American people are getting a great deal. Trade Promotion Authority is the lynchpin for our economic future.

“I applaud Chairman Ryan and Senate Finance leaders for their hard work on this very important deal. I look forward to lending my strong support to seeing this important piece of legislation move forward to the President’s desk for signature into law.”

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A one-page overview of the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 is attached.