Rep. Tom Graves Votes for Trade Promotion Authority Legislation

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, who represents Paulding County

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (H.R. 1314) – also known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) – legislation that empowers Congress with greater oversight and control of trade negotiations and future trade agreements:

“My vote today was a vote to unlock the vault, and let the American people in – because, just like them, I don’t trust the president. This trade oversight bill puts the Republican-controlled Congress and the American people in the driver’s seat. First, we set the objectives and guide the negotiation process. Second, we end secrecy and open the vaults so the American people have months to review and weigh in on any final proposals. Third, Congress has the power to approve a good deal or stop a bad deal.

“As a conservative, I believe that free markets are essential to a free society. Georgia businesses should be able to sell their goods to customers around the world. With 1.2 million Georgia jobs dependent on trade, there is too much at stake for Congress to sit on the sidelines. That’s why conservatives across the country, such as Senator Ted Cruz and the American Conservative Union, have supported this oversight bill. It will help our government negotiate good deals that allow our businesses to compete in a fair global marketplace.

“These trade negotiations call for the greatness of America. Dozens of nations are ready to lower trade barriers and open up new pathways to prosperity, and they look to the United States for leadership. To take a back seat now would empower China and other countries to fill the void. In recent years, we have seen Russia and Iran expand their influence in places neglected by the Obama administration. Those developments are a threat to our economy and security. It’s time to lead the world again. Let’s do it on our terms, through our values, and for the prosperity of future generations.”

WHAT TRADE MEANS FOR GA-14
Source: Business Roundtable

· 47,700 jobs supported by trade

· $4.1 billion in total exported goods and services

· 163% growth in the amount of goods exported between 2003 and 2013 alone

WHAT TRADE MEANS FOR GEORGIA
Source: Business Roundtable

· 1.2 million jobs supported by trade

· $58.4 billion in total exported goods and services

· 89 percent of exporters are small and medium-sized companies

THE TRUTH ABOUT TPA

MYTH: TPA gives new power to the president.
FACT: No. In fact, TPA empowers Congress.

In reality, TPA empowers Congress to demand accountability from the administration. The president already has the constitutional authority to negotiate a trade agreement. But only Congress can change U.S. law. So TPA ensures that Congress is playing a major role throughout negotiations, not just at the end.

MYTH: TPA is a secret bill, and only after it’s passed will we learn what’s in it.
FACT: The full text is currently available online, just like any other bill.

Many critics say they don’t like TPA because they don’t know what’s in it. But the full text of TPA has been available online for many weeks; you can read the whole thing yourself. In fact, the Senate passed TPA with the support of both Georgia senators on May 22, 2015, and TPA was publically available online prior to – and since – that vote.

For instance, here’s what section 108, clause (a), which reaffirms U.S. sovereignty: “No provision of any trade agreement entered into under section 103(b), nor the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance, that is inconsistent with any law of the United States, any State of the United States, or any locality of the United States shall have effect.”

MYTH: TPA opens the door for unrestricted immigration.
FACT: TPA has nothing to do with immigration and explicitly prevents any changes to U.S. law without Congress’ approval.

There is no provision in the pending free trade agreement expanding or changing immigration laws or authorities, much less opening the door for the president to advance his immigration agenda. Additionally, “under fast track, the president does not exercise any new authority that he lacked before,” law professor John Yoo writes in National Review. The TPA bill specifically bars the president from enacting any changes to U.S. law, and retains Congress’ ability to vote down any trade agreement that does not satisfy the administration’s obligations under TPA.

MYTH: TPA is a trade deal.
FACT: TPA is the process by which trade deals like TPP are made transparent – without TPA the president can keep Congress and the American people in the dark.

Under TPA, when the president submits a trade deal, it gets an up-or-down vote — but only on three conditions. First, the deal must be consistent with nearly 150 negotiating objectives set by Congress beforehand. Second, the president must consult with Congress throughout the negotiations. Third, the president must make the text of the deal public for 60 days before he signs it, so people can read it themselves. In the end, Congress gets the final say. Whatever the proposed changes are to the law, Congress must approve them.

MYTH: TPA cedes U.S. sovereignty to foreign countries.
FACT: TPA reaffirms that only Congress can change U.S. law.

TPA includes language that reaffirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law. And no trade agreement can go into force without congressional approval.

As prepared by the House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Ryan and the House Speaker.