Watson Coleman Statement on TAA/AGOA Package
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC (June 25, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after the House passed legislation that included Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA):
“I proudly opposed Fast Track authority each time it came before the House. Unfortunately, now that Fast Track has passed, it is my responsibility to ensure that American workers have the resources to overcome the consequences of bad trade deals. That’s why I voted in favor of a legislative package that extends TAA, along with key African and Haitian trade programs. This package fails to cover public employees displaced by the outsourcing of facilities like call centers, and falls short of the funding needed to support every person affected, but I simply cannot allow Congress to take up trade agreements without any level of protection in place for American workers.
“I remain steadfast in my support of protecting jobs here at home, and I will do everything I can to ensure that when the Trans-Pacific Partnership is brought up for a vote it addresses gaps in human rights, currency manipulation, and American competitiveness among other important issues. I will not support any deal—TPP or otherwise—that shortchanges my constituents or American people.”