House Proceeding 07-15-09 on Jul 15th, 2009 :: 3:17:10 to 3:23:00
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3:17:06 to 3:17:26( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: but we continue, even with this struggling down economy, to be country in the entire world? mr. herger: that is absolutely correct. the number one manufacturi nation in the world. the number one trading nation in the world. trade is part of the foundation of a strong economy and high

3:17:10 to 3:23:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Wally Herger

3:17:27 to 3:17:50( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: standard of living. today, for example, more than 57 million american jobs depend on trade and these jobs pay 13% to 18% higher wages. clearly it would be in our nation's best interest to build on this record, helping us through this difficult economic

3:17:51 to 3:18:11( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: time. the premise is simple, reducing tariffs d other barriers would make our goods less expensive and therefore more competitive in foreign markets. the additional sales from exports would help sustain and grow our u.s. businesses in this economic downturn,

3:18:12 to 3:18:32( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: creating much-needed job opportunities in the united states. when you combine the fact that demand is sluggish in the united states due to high unemployment and general uncertainty about the economic outlook with the fact that 95% of the world's consumers live

3:18:33 to 3:18:53( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: outside the united states, it seems like the common sense solution would be to encourage u.s. exports by reducing barriers abroad. the best way to do this is to negotiate market-opening trade agreements with other countries. mr. speaker, my district in

3:18:54 to 3:19:15( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: rural northern california is typical of many districts across the united states tt are largely dependent on agriculture. we produce more almonds, walnuts, rice, and prunes than we can possibly consume and heavily rely on exporting these goods to foreign markets. the bottom line is, promoting

3:19:16 to 3:19:36( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: free and fair trade through these agreements is an essential component of economic recovery. unfortunatelying house democrat leadership has failed to take this necessary step for our wokers despite the fact that we have three agreements, three agreements already negotiated

3:19:37 to 3:19:58( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: and just waiting for congressional approval. two of these pending agreements are with close u.s. allies in south america, panama and colombia. both these countries largely already have duty-free access to u.s. markets, due to trade preference programs, while our

3:19:59 to 3:20:20( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: goods face high tariffs in theirs. yet, these nations want to move from a one-way trade relationship to a two-way relationship. why? this congress is preventing that from happening when our workers would benefit from new opportunities in these markets. it is mind bogtology me that

3:20:21 to 3:20:41( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: the u.s. government continues to ignore the needs of our workers in such a way. we have a pending agreement with south korea, which is the most commercially significant agreement for the united states. as korea is already our seventh largest trading partner,

3:20:42 to 3:21:03( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: together these three trade agreements would increase u.s. exports by at least 10.-- $10.8 billion as estimated by the u.s. international trade commission that clearly means more businesses for u.s. companies and more jobs for american workers.

3:21:04 to 3:21:25( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: these benefits are spread throughout the entire economy. all sectors benefit, manufacturers, agricultural producers and services. yet, instead of providing this true stimulus to our struggling economy, congress and the administration have chosen to tie our hands behind our back.

3:21:26 to 3:21:48( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: we must realize the cost of this inaction. if the american people knew that denying a vote on the panama agreement is causing u.s. workers to miss an opportunity to export heavy machinery to panama for their $5 billion panama canal expansion project, would they

3:21:49 to 3:22:09( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: think congress is acting in their best interest by sitting on the agreement? i think not. if the american people knew that if canada ratifies their agreement with colombia before the u.s., colombians will be buying canadian wheat instead of u.s. wheat. would they think that loss in

3:22:10 to 3:22:31( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: market share to ourompetitor is acceptable? i don't think. so if the american people knew that if the european union ratifies their agreement with south korea before the u.s., koreans will use european services instead of services provided by american workers.

3:22:32 to 3:22:52( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: would they think their members of congress are doing what's best for american workers? absolutely not. by not finalizing these agreements we not only miss out on opportunities for our businesses to expand, we will also start to lose our current

3:22:53 to 3:23:01( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: market share to our competitors. e.u., canada, china, other nations aren't standing still. they will continue to push for