April 17,2015

Press Contact:

Aaron Fobes, Julia Lawless (202) 224-4515

Strong Support for Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Bill

Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Renew Critical Trade Tool Will Help U.S. Sell American Products and Services Across the Globe

Right now, the United States is engaged in two major trade negotiations with Asia and Europe - the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP).  American workers need fair access to those markets.  And, The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015will help the United States bring home these trade pacts to benefit American workers, farmers, ranchers and job creators.

Thought leaders, business groups and think tanks agree:

THOMAS J. DONOHUE, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “TPA is a vital tool to help Americans sell their goods and services to the 95 percent of the world’s customers living outside our borders. The Chamber congratulates Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, Ranking Member Ron Wyden, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, whose bill promises to spur economic growth and job creation at home…Congress must first approve TPA.” (CEO Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber Welcomes Trade Promotion Authority Bill, 4/16/15)

GABE HORWITZ, THIRD WAY: There is simply no path to middle-class prosperity without expanding our access to foreign markets…We’re so pleased to see bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation that establishes a clear path forward on international trade negotiations. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) continues a vital, 21st century trend in modern trade legislation: stronger protections for workers, fair and just rules for American businesses, more transparency, and more accountability.” (Gabe Horwitz, Director of New Way Economic Program, 4/16/15)

TOM LINEBARGER, BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE: “Trade Promotion Authority strengthens the hands of U.S. negotiators and will help ensure the best possible outcome in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Trade in Services Agreement and future trade deals. These trade agreements provide enormous benefits to the United States by increasing the number of consumers for the products made in our country…Passing TPA as soon as possible is critical to helping create new trade and growth opportunities for the U.S. economy…” (Tom Linebarger, Chair of the Business Roundtable International Engagement Committee, 4/16/15)

JIM GREENWOOD, BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION: BIO and its members commend Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) for introducing the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2015. This carefully crafted bill will reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority, set the stage for the United States to complete important ongoing trade negotiations in Asia and Europe, and allow the United States to reclaim its traditional global trade leadership role.” (Jim Greenwood, President of BIO, 4/16/15)

DAVID THOMAS, TRADE BENEFITS AMERICA: "Trade is vital to the U.S. economy, supporting nearly 40 million American jobs and helping U.S. companies of all sizes and farmers grow their businesses.  We thank Senators Hatch and Wyden and Congressman Ryan for their efforts to craft a bill that is bipartisan and will help sell more American-made products to foreign markets…TPA is key to making sure U.S. businesses, farmers and workers get the best possible outcomes in trade agreements…” (David Thomas, President of Trade Benefits America, 4/16/15)

MATTHEW SHAY, NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION: “We urge Congress to quickly pass TPA legislation in order to conclude trade agreements currently being negotiated…Free and open trade benefits American consumers with more diverse and less expensive goods, supports American job growth and provides American companies with access to important overseas markets.” (Matthew Shay, President of National Retail Federation, 4/16/15)

PETER ALLGEIER, COALITION OF SERVICES INDUSTRIES: “The Coalition of Services Industries (CSI) applauds today’s introduction of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 and urges Congress to act quickly to pass this crucial bill to promote economic growth and job creation…The TPA bill introduced today offers objectives that are critical to furthering the current services revolution that we are going through…” (Peter Allgeier, President of Coalition of Services Industries, 4/16/15)

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