I'm against both the TPA and the TPP. Those are my opinions. Others can disagree. Senator Johnny Isakson (above) is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and, below, he makes his case for both. If you agree with what he says, then you know where you stand on the issues. If you disagree, you not only know where you stand, you know the argument TPA and TPP supporters are making and can better argue your own side as a result. Outside of abortion, I do not have a problem with any side having a say -- and they can e-mail the public account and we'll note it. With regards to abortion, when men can give birth, that's when I'll give them a fair hearing on the issue, until then, I don't really think they have much to contribute to the issue. And, FYI, the TPA and TPP are issues the White House wants as well. So if you're opposed -- I am -- learn what they're saying so you can actually make a counter-argument. Otherwise, you'll end up looking like a fool the way Raed Jarrar recently did (see Ava and my "TV: When Messengers Disappoint") as he went on radio opposing Barack's latest wave of war on Iraq (which I also oppose) by arguing that Barack believes bombing Iraq will lead to peace. That's not what Barack has argued. He believes that bombings will put the Islamic State on the defensive and provide space for Iraq's leaders to create a political solution. I say that's not happening. Barack's 'plan' is Bully Boy Bush's surge -- where BBB sent more US troops into Iraq to stabilize the country and create space for Iraq's leaders to create a political solution. Part one of the surge was the US military. They did the job they were tasked with. Part two was the Iraqi leaders. They failed. And the only difference between BBB and Barack's 'plans' is the Barack is thus far 'surging' from the air (with war planes).
Contact:
Antonia Ferrier 202.228.NEWS
Senator Johnny Isakson Delivers Weekly Republican Address
‘I want to be very clear -- this
legislation does not guarantee approval of any proposed trade agreement.
Every trade agreement will still be scrutinized by your representatives
and by
the Senators in Congress.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
In the Weekly Republican Address, Senator Johnny Isakson of
Georgia makes the case for congressional passage of Trade Promotion
Authority (TPA), which would give U.S. trade negotiators authority to
complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement with
Japan and other agreements.
With
the Senate expected to vote on a trade promotion bill later this month,
Isakson says TPA would promote American workers and American
jobs by establishing clear objectives -- mandated by Congress -- that
the president must achieve in international trade agreements.
‘Trade
promotion authority is good for America. It’s good for our country and
it’s good for our economy. And it’s good for middle-class
American families who will reap the benefits of more jobs.’
Isakson says.
The Weekly Republican Address is available in both audio and video format and is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday
May 2, 2015. The audio of the address is available here,
the video will be available here
and you may download the address here.
A full transcript of the address follows:
“Hello, this is United States Senator Johnny Isakson from the great state of Georgia.
“In my state of Georgia, 1.2 million jobs are directly related to international trade.
“In the last 10 years, Georgia’s exports to our trading partners grew by 69 percent.
“With the negotiations on trade deals that are ongoing, we expect that to just continue.
“Next year, the Panama Canal is opening to the larger ships of the 21st century.
“We
are racing in my state to complete the expansion of the Savannah Harbor
to accommodate those larger ships bringing goods and service
from the rest of the globe to America.
“This
project will make the city of Savannah, the state of Georgia, and the
entire Southeast a hub of global imports and exports.
“But
if we don’t pass trade promotion authority, we will risk losing all
those goods and services they carry -- going elsewhere around
the world.
“I am thrilled the
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
is coming to the floor of the Senate.
“Its
passage will help promote American workers and American jobs by setting
out clear objectives -- mandated by Congress -- that the
president must achieve in international trade agreements.
“The
legislation will go for six years and requires presidents of either
party to consult with Congress before final approval of any agreement.
“Congress still has the final say in approving a trade agreement.
“And I want to be very clear -- this legislation does not guarantee approval of any proposed trade agreement.
“Every trade agreement will still be scrutinized by your representatives and by the senators in Congress.
“Republicans will not support any attempt to override U.S. law by sneaking extra provisions into any trade agreement.
“That includes provisions on immigration policies.
“Trade
promotion authority does not give any president any new authority to
expand immigration or change other laws without the approval
of the Congress of the United States.
“Trade should not be -- nor is it ever intended to be -- a partisan issue.
“It is about creating more jobs for the American people and helping hardworking American families.
“Raising the prosperity of the American people is the best way to raise revenue while also raising hope and opportunity.
“This trade promotion authority legislation does precisely that.
“Fair and open trade promotes more American agriculture, American manufacturing and American jobs.
“So many great examples of the benefits of free trade can be found around America can be found in my home state of Georgia.
“One example is Caterpillar.
“Thanks
to a favorable trade condition, Caterpillar was able to move part of
its overseas manufacturing operation back to United States
of America – including bringing a plant back and hundreds of jobs to my
state of Georgia in 2013.
“That’s what Trade Promotion Authority has the potential to do for all of America.
“It’s going to expand trade and expand opportunity for the American people.
“This
is going to ensure that America -- not China or any other country -- is
at the forefront of writing the global rules of economy
and trade in the world.
“And it is going to empower America through jobs and economic growth.
“When members of Congress vote on the
Bipartisan Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, I hope they will cast a vote in favor for free trade.
“I hope they will choose innovation over isolation.
“Promoting trade promotes innovation.
“Innovation,
competition and hard work are the very attributes that make the
American people and the United States the leader on the global
stage.
“We should never fear competition and hard work.
“America should continue to be the leader we have always been in terms of technology, ingenuity and trade.
“Trade promotion authority is good for America.
“It’s good for our country and it’s good for our economy.
“And it’s good for middle-class American families who will reap the benefits of more jobs.
“Thank you for listening and God bless the United States of America.”
###
iraq
