WASHINGTON – This morning, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke with Bloomberg Television’s Peter Cook about ongoing trade negotiations in Congress.  Video/Audio link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHDB1iCyYLo&feature=youtu.be

“This is a very difficult and, at this point, unclear path forward,” said Senator Coons. “Many of us who supported TPA among the Democratic caucus in the Senate believe that we should also be moving forward Ex-m reauthorization, and customs, and TAA…What many Democrats want to see out of this trade bill is stronger enforcement and stronger support for those workers who might be negatively affected by trade. Without some guarantee, without some path forward for all of those to get done, it’s difficult for me to take another vote on TPA.”

Peter Cook then asked: “So you need assurances from John Boehner and Mitch McConnell not only that they’ll allow votes on these other issues but they will work actively to get the votes to pass them?”

Senator Coons responded: “That’s right, at least.”

Additional excerpts from Senator Coons’ interview are below:


Excerpt 1:

“This is a very difficult and, at this point, unclear path forward. It’s my understanding that the House is taking up and voting on TPA today. Many of us who supported TPA among the Democratic caucus in the Senate believe that we should also be moving forward Ex-m reauthorization, and customs, and TAA…What many Democrats want to see out of this trade bill is stronger enforcement and stronger support for those workers who might be negatively affected by trade. Without some guarantee, without some path forward for all of those to get done, it’s difficult for me to take another vote on TPA.”

Peter Cook: “So you need assurances from John Boehner and Mitch McConnell not only that they’ll allow votes on these other issues but they will work actively to get the votes to pass them?”

Senator Coons: “That’s right, at least.”

Peter Cook: “And you don’t have that yet?”

Senator Coons: “Not to my satisfaction, no.”

Excerpt 2:

Senator Coons: “I’d say the President was deeply frustrated, very surprised by the rejection of TAA in the House, and trying to come up with a strategy that can work and that can get support from displaced workers, stronger enforcement, and TPA which then would allow him to finalize negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership. It was a contentious and challenging meeting, a number of us advanced our concerns about Ex-Im, about AGOA, which would be the vehicle for sending TAA back to the House.  It’s a fast moving and complex situation, but I think there is still a possible path here for the President to get his objectives.”

Excerpt 3:

Senator Coons: “I think a lot of my Democratic colleagues have very understandable skepticism about the impact of globalization and trade, particularly on workers in manufacturing. What I’ve seen in my five years in the Senate around the world is that China is ascendant, China is re-writing the rules of trade in the 21st Century, and in ways that are not good for America’s interests, for labor, for the environment, for human rights, and TPP gives us the opportunity to rewrite those rules in our favor and in a direction that disadvantages China and advantages America’s priorities in the world.   Although it was a very close call, that’s ultimately why I voted with the President.

Peter Cook: “If the President gets TPA, no doubt in your mind that the Trans Pacific Partnership, this 12-nation deal, this moves forward?”

Senator Coons: “He will conclude the negotiations. It’s not clear to me whether or not it’ll get approval in the Senate. It makes that approval more likely.  My vote for TPA doesn’t guarantee my vote for TPP, I’ll still review that deal closely.”

 

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