rafficking. if passed today this will help women and children in louisiana and michigan and across the nation rebuild their lives. i thank senator peters for joining this effort and urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment. i yield back. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the question occurs on the klobuchar amendment numbered 296. hearing no further debate, all those in favor say aye. all those opposed no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the hoeven amendment number 299 as modified. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the amendment as modified is

agreed to. the question occurs on the sullivan amendment number 279. all those in favor say aye. those opposed say nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the wicker amendment number 1126. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the flake amendment number 294. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the cassidy amendment number 308. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to.

the question occurs on the portman amendment number 1128. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the brown amendment number 310. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the brown amendment number 312. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the heller amendment number 1122. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the question occurs on the

shaheen amendment number 303. all those in favor say aye. those opposed nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the majority whip. mr. cornyn: mr. president i'd ask unanimous consent that the senator from minnesota and i be permitted to speak for up to one minute each prior to vote on final passage. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. ms. klobuchar: thank you very much mr. president. i first want to thank senator cornyn. this has been a long journey. we have been working on these bills for over a year. i want to thank senator leahy and senator grassley for their leadership on the judiciary committee, senator murray for her work in negotiating this agreement and working with us, as well as so many people that have been involved in this bill. through the last month i think every so often people have forgotten what this really is about. this is about victims of sex trafficking, average age 12 years old. not even old enough to get their own driver's license. not even old enough to go to

high school prom. yet this is happening all over the country, from the oil patches of north dakota to the suburbs of minneapolis. and what this bill does and what this senate is doing today is saying we want to be there there in our country for these victims. we're going to pay for services. we're actually going to change some policies so when we go to the rest of the world and look at something that is the third biggest international enterprise in the world when we look at what boko haram is doing in nigeria and other countries we can hold our heads up high and say in the united states senate we are finally doing something about this and our country is united across party lines against this practice. and again, thank you senator cornyn for what you've done. mr. cornyn: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority whip. mr. cornyn: mr. president winston churchill supposedly once said that the americans do the right thing after they exhaust every other possibility. and you might say the same thing about the united states senate when it comes to the justice for

victims of trafficking act. this has been a long, strange journey here to final passage but here we are and we've kept our focus all along on the victims. typically a girl of 12-14 years old who has been sex trafficked and who has been treated like a common object and enslaved. this is a terrible, heinous crime but one that most of us don't see because it operates without -- outside of our vision and our experience. but we are throwing a lifeline to these victims of human trafficking by providing them real resources to help them, to help first rescue them and then to help them heal. this is a good day for the united states senate because we're doing the right thing for people who have no voice. we are their voice. we're going to get this done in a way that provides them some real help. so i want to thank all of our colleagues here on a bipartisan basis. it was a rocky trip here, but we got here.

that's what sownts, because we're providing necessary help, needed help for these victims of human trafficking. mr. president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: under the previous order the committee-reported substitute amendment to s. 178 as amended is agreed to. under the previous order the clerk will read the title of the bill for the third time. the clerk: calendar number 126 s. 178. a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking. the presiding officer: under the previous order the question occurs on passage of s. 178 as amended. is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote:

vote:

vote:

the presiding officer: on this vote, the ayes are 9 the nays are zero. the bill, as amended is passed. mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president i ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule 22, when the senate resumes consideration of the lynch nomination on thursday april 23, there be two

hours of debate equally twieded in the usual form prior to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture. that if cloture is invoked there be up to two hours of postcloture debate equally divided between the two leaders and that following the united states or yielding back of time, the senate vote on the nomination. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: mr. president i ask unanimous consent that when the senate convenes on thursday, april 23, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired the journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day. following leader remarks the senate proceed to executive session to resum consideration of the lynch nomination under the previous order. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. sanders: i object. mr. mcconnell: i move -- the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. sanders: reserving i think reserving the right to object -- sorry.

i would withdraw the objection. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: i move to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. witness day -- wednesday april 2. the presiding officer: question is non-debatable. ail those in favor say aye. all those opposed no. the the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is agreed to. the senate reaching a compromise yesterday mostly dealing with money legal aid and health services.

loretta lynch attorney general nomination with the possible confirmation vote. follow the vote. follow the senate live here on c-span2 when members gavel backend. >> this saturday, the 2015 white house correspondent association annual dinner. watch our coverage at 6:00 p.m. eastern with a guest arrival along the red carpet. carpet. the more than 2600 attendees will be addressed by president obama. the 2015 white house correspondent association annual dinner saturday at 6:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> in 2003 new york times reporter judith miller wrote several stories of the lead up to the invasion of iraq and weapons of mass distraction. in an effort to reveal her source she was found in contempt of court and

imprisoned. she talks about her time in jail. >> i was refusing to identify the identity of a a source who i thought did not want his identity revealed. in our business protecting sources is the lifeblood of independent journalism. i really felt that unless the people that i routinely spoke to who had access to classified information a sacred trust to protect them, my sources would dry out and eventually i would just be riding with the government wanted. i felt i felt this was a question of principle that i did not have much choice. >> sunday night at 8:00 o'clock eastern and pacific on c-span q&a.

>> live now to the dirksen senate office building where the senate finance committee is continuing a meeting from this morning relating to pending trade measures. this is live coverage on c-span2. >> the standard to make it easier to use for steel companies. competitors need to be held accountable. the united steelworkers the united steelworkers and major companies. ak steel our server miller, and others who have a strong presence in my home state of ohio. some competitors do not play by the rules which is why i have worked with senator wyden to crack down on companies who evade duties based upon evasion schemes that can be addressed through the enforce act which i strongly support and i congratulate senator wyden for getting that done. trade adjustment assistance will extend to healthcare issues that we have talked about in this committee, the

h tct tax credit. very important to workers in several towns including 5,000 retirees along with thousands of rescue worker retirees. i appreciated being in the legislation. with regard to trade promotion authority our goal should be to ensure they can get the best possible deal at the negotiating table for american workers, and i want to be clear that we must address issues that tilt the playing field away from workers in ohio and other states such as currency manipulation. we all seem to agree it is a bad idea. all we are trying to do is ensure foreign governments are put on notice to have a fair shot.

they don't get an unfair advantage over workers and manufacturers. by d evaluating and manipulating currencies so that they are weaker against the american dollars, some of our competitors have made it cheaper to export goods into the united states and other markets. if that is not bad enough this makes it worse to support good paying jobs at home. a letter signed by thousands of ohio auto workers who call currency manipulation the most critical trade barrier in the 21st century. these are views not just of auto workers in ohio but around the country. i have had the chance to visit with them home and this is why this amendment

is so important. with so much to gain withdrawing us exports we cannot let them take that away at the expense of american manufacturing. that is why i have asked there are protections ranging from working with the united steelworkers. the uncoated paper products. i work closely with my colleagues from ohio. to further grow exports i am pleased to be joined by several senators to introduce an amendment. our bipartisan amendment will ensure that an ntb can pass soon and restart this process which is important. this helps american manufacturers remain globally competitive to having access to needed manufacturing inputs available at home. since its expiration manufacturers have had to cut jobs for working together sen. kirk and i

are introducing an amendment to ensure negotiations protect our ally, israel who has been the target of economic warfare in an effort to weaken and isolate it from the international community and investment and trade, the so-called bds amendment, boycott sanctions. the issue is the issue is particularly important as we consider negotiations with the european union. signed by ustr and minister of commerce. i congratulate you on getting us to this. we need to expand exports. it not only creates more jobs but good paying jobs. it is made more level for our workers. >> thank you senator.

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> if you would like to make an opening statement. >> go ahead. >> i we will make one. >> thank you you, mr. chairman. i we will be brief. i want to thank both yourself and ranking member wyden for including two of my amendments in the modified chairman mark one that creates a chief manufacturing negotiator. achieve agricultural

negotiator. we don't have an economy or middle-class. the technical assistance programs. i thank them for working with me. even though we come down in different places command i we will not be supporting tpa come i appreciate i appreciate the work that you have done on transparency and enforcement for me the bottom line is to export profits, not jobs. we look at the global economy and have a choice of creating a system where there is a race to the top with opportunities to strengthen not only our middle-class but the middle class of those around the world or a race to the bottom in terms of lower

wages and benefits, environmental standards and shipping jobs overseas. i do not see the toughness i need for a yes vote and certainly we will talk more about currency later. i appreciate that there is some currency language year, here but it is not strong enough to be enforceable and i think it is incredibly important that whatever we do has tough tough, enforceable standards in it going forward. i appreciate the opportunity to say a few words command we will have more discussion during amendments. >> anyone else to make an opening statement? >> mr. chairman, mr. chairman, ranking member, i want to thank you for getting us where we are. this is both necessary and long overdue. expired without this authority. we simply will be able to conclude trade negotiations with her agricultural products, manufacturing goods, or services.

this is updated and modernized and i and i want to mention a couple of things. i appreciate your help. legislation includes a number of important provisions. i want to highlight two in particular. helping us to eliminate nontariff barriers abroad especially crops they use biotechnology. justified non-science-based regulation have become a major impediment to trade and something we need to aggressively combat. the bill includes digital trade provisions to help american maintain its competitive edge. such as making sure that cross-border data flows are not restricted in the nation's do not attempt to dick they were technology

infrastructure is based and pulled from additional trade ask. these provisions are critical if we want to trade policy updated for the additional -- digital age. i want to thank the chairman and ranking member that we will consider today. the customs bill includes a provision from the legislation i answered is to update what is known as the the meadows level making it easier and less burdensome for importers and american express delivery companies so the 1st time we are delivering diminished value it adopts my amendment to send a signal to our trading partners that they need to follow suit in updating their do minimus levels as well. also includes a division to fight the shipment of what some have called honey laundering, and important issue in my home state of colorado. additionally adopts an amendment to ensure they produce fairly as they collect duties. i look forward to passage of these bills and consideration soon.

thank you, mr. chairman. >> anyone else care to make an opening statement? >> mr. chairman, i understand where you are standard eastern time and also understand that we are pressed for time. i have a wonderful opening statement absolutely wonderful, but i we will submit will submit it for the record and let it go. [laughter] [inaudible conversations] >> come on. come on. i we will follow suit. >> that's good. that is really good. anyone else? >> mr. chairman.

>> and opening statement for the record also. >> that would be fine. >> thank you. >> without objection. >> anyone else? >> can i move we all have the opportunity to submit opening statements with the record? >> you have such a wonderful way of doing things. without objection that will do that. today's 1st today's 1st order of business is a technical document on the trade assistance enhancement act of 2015. before you -- before we begin our like to put this into context. i carefully negotiated compromise between ranking member wyden of the house ways and means committee. i do not support trade adjustment assistance but agreed that i would help ensure the taa and trade promotion authority move in parallel forms and to allow

taa to come before the committee for a fair vote. i've been willing to debate and consider on the map -- merits and efforts and today provides us with that opportunity. does anyone care to break up anything?>> i we will i we will be brief. this is a critically important piece of legislation because it ensures that as the economy changes those changes do not knock our workers off stride this is what is in effect a springboard. new opportunities for high skilled, high wage jobs. >> anybody else? all right.

>> i am sorry mr. chairman. are we not making opening statements? >> if you desire to come you have the right. >> go ahead. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i appreciate that. i want to thank senator pat and wyden for their effort. they have done a fine job. this trade promotion authority bill is a major improvement over the last tpa bill. the way you have handled transparency, congressional involvement, negotiating objectives and how you have dealt with enforcement is a major improvement. i want to complement you.

i believe we need tpa authority and i hope we have a successful agreement. let me say though that i hope we will have a chance to improve the tpa bill as we move forward through the process and tell you my concern. trade presents an opportunity for us to advance us values. economic values, but also the type of people we are on the principles we advance. i am proud of our predecessors who against all odds were able to get a major provision included in trade that many said, why are you putting us in the trade issue? in vacuum of the united states provided the leadership that brought down the apartheid government of south africa. trade is a strong tool. i am concerned that we have

adequate provisions in trade agreements which is why i have been focused during this process on good governance, human rights, governance, human rights and capacity building. the legislation before us has shortcomings in that regard. i have said from the beginning, my top priority to have enforceable enforceable, negotiating objectives to accomplish good governance and human rights and capacity building when we saw the bill for the 1st time i pointed out on page 32, as i was reading. that the enforcement provisions in the bill apply only to principle negotiating objectives. principal negotiating objectives. principal negotiating objectives include goods services, intellectual property, regulations, environment, transparency, etc., but not good governance. that is why i think it is

critically important that the provisions included in this bill need to be a principal trade objective command i i hope as we go through this process we will have an opportunity several amendments that will.out why it is important and i would be glad to call my colleagues attention to the language included on page 33 of the tpa that points out specifically their without making a principal objective the trade enforcement provisions are not applicable to human rights and we must correct that. >> we do have nine senators in attendance. i hope that we can keep them here so that we do not waste time and no one we will be

inconvenienced because it will be a long briefing anyway, although i think we are getting to where it could be much shorter. the committee will now walk through the market modification. i recognize shane warring of our staff to do so. we have anderson heineman from the office of trade adjusted -- trade adjustment assistance. am i pronouncing that right? >> you are close. >> close enough, i think. of course of immense value to this committee chief of staff for the members benefit to ask any question they could ask. would you briefly describe the main features of this proposal?

>> thank you. the committee is considering a a proposal to extend the trade adjustment assistance and healthcare coverage tax credit extending the trade adjustment program through june -- june 302021 and reestablishes programs. a proposal authorizes the statutory of 350 million annually fiscal years 2015 through 2021 for training and related expenses. the proposal includes continuation of the reemployment trade adjustment assistance program and makes changes to data collection. with respect to that healthcare coverage tax credit the proposal amends the definition of eligible coverage month to include months beginning before january 1 2020. the proposal contains revisions related to collection allowance and with respect to advance payments of hctz.

thank you, mr. chairman. >> to the senators have questions regarding this mark? i recognize senator wyden. >> just very quickly, mr. chairman this expands taa to service workers which is extraordinarily important most. most importantly, this is a six-year extension on programs that otherwise expire later this year, something that has always been done standing up for the workers. >> okay. happy to recognize any other senators that have questions >> mr. chairman. >> i do. >> i don't have a question but i did want a brief opening statement. if it is if it is appropriate i would be happy to do that. >> go right ahead. >> before you do does anyone have any other statement?

>> mr. chairman. >> mr. chairman. >> you do. >> can you wait until after he makes a statement? >> i had a question on this bill. >> you do. >> yes. >> what has been the interaction with the community on this? they do the job training information. they have covered quite a few of these areas. >> well, performance measurements that we believe senator ryan put into the bill. it was an agreement between distinguished ranking member and chairman ryan in the house. >> i was referring to sen. senator chairman alexander. >> i no that you work. >> thank you. well, let's go to senator menendez. you can give your statement.

>> well, thank you. this is not my 1st trade debate and i have not found many bills that i could vote for but there have been a few. right now in its current form i cannot support the trade promotion authority that we have before us. as i said yesterday, we have the same goal in mind jobs for workers, markets for businesses that build a stronger american economy. trade may offer trade may offer a path, but it is not something that is automatically guaranteed. it takes tough negotiation with high standards, the right countries informed by a long history of trade deals that have not always contributed to rising living classes. the trade classes. the trade promotion authority before us today does not give me the confidence that any trade deal we will meet those

standards, especially when one of the major trade agreements is already pretty much negotiate. i do not see strong protection for workers, the environment, or intellectual property of some key industries. making a. making a decision makers to the heart of our responsibility is members of congress, to protect the interest of our constituents if we are going to vote to give additional executive authority over trade the better ensure we empower all our constituents. i have some to include the underlying bill. we will see how it ultimately ends up but right now there is a long way. i appreciate the hard work the have put into this important legislation and hope we will have a

constructive open amendment process thank you mr. chairman. >> thank you. we will go to senator nelson >> as you know i intend to support this bill but i was surprised to find out they your staff last night rejected trying to keep an industry in my state alive on the extension of the bahrain trade preference which is been in effect since 2005 where they bring in your and make it into garments going into the us. this will shutdown in a rural town of 1500 people shutdown 300 employees and my question to you since i will offer and then everyone

can decide, i thought it would be accepted what you prefer me -- my question to you is would you prefer me to offer it on one of the other three bills than the tpa? >> i would prefer you sent said that on one of the other bills. ..

i appreciate your accomodation. if we can keep this bill clean, it is really going to make a difference. >> i wish you would have a prayer session with your staff before the customs bill about this amendment. >> we have a prayer session every day and -- if i could just tell the senator from florida this. is an inextremely important concern for him. i will visit with the chairman and perhaps the preferences bill. we work closely with the senator. we will see what we can do. okay? all right. if there are no further questions at the table the proposal up into the amendment. and a menment to the bill?

did you have an amendment? anybody have any amendments? i don't see any hands? i am ready. if you have not an a menment otherwise i will move the bill? all right. thank you mr. chairman. an amendment one, two and three asked to an amendment 12 13 should to roll the 3 into 1. without objection. 1 2, 3. brown 1, 2, 3. thank you mr. chairman. i call the amendments the ta

bill to be considered in block. and that senators and menendez be added as co-sponsors without objection. thank you. for the workers to 575 million a year. this is the same level that is was included in the bipartisan taa bill and earlier i would have to thank the senator for the inarest in the opening statement and he talked about the the importants avenue vigorous trade adjustment assistance. what it means for workers in the state. and i look around this room in the states that have had pretty much all of us have had layoffs. described to trade. and sometimes not a describe to trade with countries of who we have. offset with the application of the statute of limitations and a some say that 4 50 million the amount included in an unlying bill of enough to operate the program there.

no reason to increase the funding. truth is we do not know 4 50 will be enough. taa workers for corkers cost each year. and during the great reis heing. if you take the average funding levels for the three years when eligibility was nearly the same as considering the day. 571 million a year. and this $125 million reduction is cuts for the sake of cuts. participants that completed training in fiscal year 2013 received a degree or industry recognized credential that means it does work. during the same year the workers found employment within the months and over 90% were still employed at the end of the year. and independencation that's it worked and the package ensures that all workers

including the public sector workers and eligible for the taa. and all workers that are impacted by the trade should be able to apply. and increase funding for taa for firms. 16 to 50 million and provides assistance and expertise to the import and manufacture ors to become more globally competitive. they can compete and unfun in the programs either of them with the trade agreement. and 40% on the trade agreement coming up. tpp. another 20%. unfunding them when we are having this kind of impact in the world's economy will be the biggest mistake. president obama included in the budget and same level that 70 senators and members of the house of representatives supported in 2011 it is a level of the

co-sponsors amendment. some are voting against it. it should be the bipartisan across the board. and this number is important for workers. i ask my colleagues for support. senator. i will say this. i strongly oppose and following reasons why oppose it. that would increase for workers. the level of. 575. i don't personally believe that the training fudged levels will be increased from 50 million. as you know we have always had reservations with regard to this program. and the he can tevent wit workers program has expanded over the years. with the measurable benefits. in the lack of accountability. and in the straighting of

the program. i am not convinced that the program works. i certainly will not start increasing funding for it. so i would ask to agree with that. and also expanding coverage to the public sector workers who staff nontradable services like transportation, hospital care. and state and local benefit offices and. taa was never intend today cover the sector workers whose job shared little to no nexus to trade so i am going to have to pose the amendment. and kind me. to move it forward. all right. mr. chairman. the bam administration has a

proposal in current form. and the senator from ohio. nobody has put the sweat equity into standing up for workers frankly. would i love to have more money, the bottomline here is that it is a 6-year extension. it doubles the funding and it expands a program to include the service workers and department of labor and why the administration is so supportive of is that the amount here was deemed by the department of labor to be enough to cover all workers. i would like to do more and working with the colleague and ahead. there are questions about the taa program. particularly what will happen to the public sector workers and senator brown has worked in the area. i would urge colleagues to support the measure in the present form.

senator would you like to? mr. chairman. i want to strongly support the a menment. and i do appreciate the additions and positive pieces of this particular bill but i do believe that putting in the level of which it was the present budget is significant we are in a global economy. when people are losing their jobs we will have a stake in having the ability to be retrained. and people want to work. and we have a need for folks to be independent and working. and contributing and taking care of their families and from my perspective to make sure that there is adequate funding for people to be able to have affair shot to do that is very very important. so i support the a menment. mr. chairman i do have a question though. that is i always assumed that the bill would move with tpa and the other bills. is that the correct

assumption? it would be unfortunate when we move them together though there are differences in terms of support and so on. and however that is a correct assumption. at this said that we would move them and together. and not as one bill and correct. they will move during the thank you. all right. a couple of brief comments. i am concerned that knowing the opposition to the taa generally that a number of senators have and a number of the house members has as it works its way and moving through could resolve at a point in ta being jetted as the tpa will go to the president's desk. that would be a tragedy for workers and a couple of the responses to comments. i understand that the taa dollars have gone up. and look at what has

happened with the trade deficits. president bush said that the trade deficit as it will translate into the lost jobs. when the trade deficit with china and the body passed was 15 billion or so for the day this. is 25 billion a month. second. senator portman and i know when a plant is closed in sandusky or toledo ohio public sector workers are directly impacted by the trade, property tax revenues are down. layoffs are due directly to the trade issues. that is why public sector workers should be included. i ask for support for the a menment. they agreed to the taa bill. offers a generous extension. authorizing the probation of $16 million i really can't

support expanding the program at this time. and so just keep in mine. what the senator is saying. role call. any other comments on this amendment? grassley, no. no. mr. cornen by proxy. mr. burr. no. awe.

mr. cooks >> no >> mr. scott. >> no by proxy. >> no. mr. schumer. rich mr. nelson. awe. mr. machine desert. rich awe mr. chasy? awe mr. warner awe. chairman. no. chairman votes no. mr. chairman the final tally is 12 awes and 14 nays. the amendment is a not agreed to. any other a menment to the

taa bill? i wanted to thank you and ranking member for an inch including collection of labor statistics in the modified mark on the customs endorsement bill. and one a menment is the ex-pavenths program and stability that i think is very important. and where we are going to open up the economic opportunities and also to talk about how we will train and skill a workforce. there was two witnesses at the hearing yesterday and both labor and business supported the apprentice program. and so, i would hope that we can look at this moving forward. so appreciate looking at that, the other within is obviously the clean energy tax credit which um. you know we have many jobs here that the u.s. can be competitive in. i look forward to working with you on both amendments in the future. i thank you very much.

as you know. you filed to the taa bill and i inclued your fir a menment in the modification to the chairman's customs bill. and i think that the other two amendments would be more appropriate to look at in the tax ex-terribled context. which will require the time and attention by the way. and i will look forward to working with you on knees two issues. and we will try to do that. i appreciate your willingness to fascilitate this mark up. and not seeking the vote today. if i am correct. if you mean that timely attention do you mean december? i would agree. if i could just respond to senator cantwell this. is an exemptional and important area. and nobody has did not more to drive innovation in the united states senate. particularly in the renewable not sgee and senator cantwell. who understands that the policies that have been

successful they can build out the supply chains. vital and renewable independent streechltz i consider this a priority business. on the energy committee. and the appreciate the colleague's handling of this today we will work closely together. thank you. am i understanding correctly this are withdrawing. yes. senator from virginia? i would like to thank you and the ranking member for your work. have you done. i think that the taa bill that is before us is terribly important. and proud to support senator brown's amendment. and though i was unsuccessful. i this i that most of usa dry on both sides of the aisle that second west relation is stupidity on steroids and i was a little bit disappointed that we included an extension of the

see quest relation as part of the pay for taa. i think that it is hurting the hospitals and the health centers. it is unfortunate. and i proposed a to a place the medicare see quest relation with the bipartisan paid for that is was previously voted out by the committee. and the specific pay for would allow reporting requirements that the irs would have and evaluation mortgage interests deductions and if refinancing occurred in the calendar year. and unpaid balance of the mortgage. it will not increase any reporting requirements for the taxpayer. and it is my understanding that under some sense of logic our friends in the house will bill this as revenue and consequently will be unwilling to support the ta a menment and in a sense. we will go to the floor. and i hope that we can revisit this issue. but i think that it is critically important that we will pass the taa.

i appreciate the number of the bipartisan members that go to support the amendment and i will withdraw and i look forward to working with you and the ranking member. from virginia. i will be very brief. and i just want to thank the senator of virginia for handling this and in this mat manner. he has great expertise in health care. i think that we all understand that we are going to have to move aggressively towards health care reform. and particularly the chronic disease that is.com nath the medicare landscape means that we are not going to have a lot of time to get started. the fact that the senator from virginia has withdrawn today. i think just gives us anymore us it to get serious about these kinds of health reforms when we get the bill done. done. and i want to thank him personally for what he is doing. likewise any further amendments on either side. any further amendments. if there is no further debate. would i entertain the motion that the committee will

order the bill reported modified and amendment as an original bill. i so move. recorded vote. . >> i believe another voice vote is that acceptable voice vote? taa? let's do it. you want a role call vote? the clerk will call it. mr. grassley. no. grapo. no. mr. roberts. sorry? no by proxy. mr. thune? no. no by proxy. mr. issacson. no. mr. portman. awe. mr. portman. awe.

mr. tomby. awe. mr. cooks. mr. heller. awe. mr. scott. mr. burr. by proxy. mr. scott. mr. schumer. awe. mr. schumer. awe. stab know. mr. parker. mr. brown. by proxy. awe. and mr. warner. awe. and mr. chairman. mr. roberts.

will announce the vote. mr. chairman. 18 ideas. 8 nays. yeah. mr. chairman. i would like to change my vote to no. want to change the outcome? no. it will not. my understanding is that it

was a final passage. yeah. when you asked if there was further amendments. talking about. enjoying this so much. didn't want to forego the possibility here. all right. we will move along here. and considering the chairman. and a bill to extent african growth opportunity. and the generalized preferences and the duty treatment program for haiti. and for other purposes. considering legislation extenting and first let me say that during months of hard work and toughing inations ranking numbers were able to reach agreement on the bill with the ways and means committee chairman ryan. and ranking member 11 the result of the legislation to be considered in the house. and i hope that we can pass that into law for a short order. and i hope that the member

left side support it. so, um. we will call up that particular bill. let me just say senator. do you have any comments? senator. do you have any comments on that? the committee now will mark through. i recognize shane warren of our staff to do so. and also we have anderson of our staff coming up from the u.s. trade representatives office. as well as itty golub for the chief of staff and the direct committee on taxation. and for the benefit to answer questions that may arise. so mr. warren could you briefly describe a main features of the proposal. mr. chairman. at the mark upmuch the committee is considering a proposal for the african growth and opportunity act. and revial duty program for

haiti. and proposals are entitled into three programs. the african growth and opportunity act or agoa and if the proposal will he tend in the rule of origin on the third country fabric from the scheduled expiration september 30th 2015. to 2025 and the proposal will authorize the president to conduct the out of cycle reviews by the beneficiary country to determine whether it is making a progress in the criteria. and if not to terminate the country from agoa. from the articles from that country. the proposal will add the notice and the consultation and technical changes to section 5 06 a. and the title generalized gsp. to december 31st. 2015 and would apply the benefits to the articles that were imported on or about july 31st to be eligible for the duty free treatment as of the date and backment of the proposal and

title 3 is the preferential duty treatment programs for that they. september 20259. thank you mr. chairman. senators have any questions regarding the mark that they would like to refer to mr. warren? or anybody else on the panel? i recognize senator for his comments on this mark. mr. chairman i will be very brief. the african legislation is treely importantly. i want to particularly common senator issacson and to note senator computers and a number of colleagues that have been involved in this. and at the gsp legislation it. is hugely important for the economic growth and opportunity in our country. and i appreciate the bipartisanship that went into the particular session with it. a tough subject to find common ground on and we were able to do it. thank you. any other comments?

well then. i call up the marks for. we have to have the voice letter? mr. chairman. any amendments. i have done a lot of work on this. would i like to ask that senator warner and would be added by co-sponsors and without objfks and many of the members of the committee to growth and tunity act for the past four years and i work with the the senator in the foreign relations committee. and i traveled to africa. and went with the avenue of can union. the america this. is a great opportunity for the country for the trade. and tune sxicht also a maturing marketplace. and i am really glad that it is first of all for ten years that will send an important message to africa. we want the paper and trade for a decade. and also i am thinking it is

good to take the previsions to be responsive and flexible this. approach to the reviews. and to suspending and withdrawing the business from any type of the beneficiary country and as many of you know here. they have traveled to south africa. and dealt with a number of trade issues with that country. and i originally offered an a men meant to limit south africa's participation instead. the amendment will change the existence of a bill to fine a provision for the president of the united states to conduct an out of cycle review. in this agreement to have the review take place and to be held accountable. to the trade place of the united states this. is cleared with the administration and a good a menment it. makes sense.

i appreciate mr. carper and warner in the co-sponsor ship. i want to particularly acknowledge senator kunz from dell wait. and i would ask for the adoption. all right. mr. chairman. ? chairman. please. would you like to join in supporting this amendment. i don't know if anybody thinks about how much the value of the pole tree that we export. and sell but it is 5 bill. and it is a lot of money. we sell almost no chickens to south africa. almost nothing. and the value of the legislation working on that today is not so much to on up the mark toats other countries but to make darn sure that those that are trying to coup our products out are not successful. and i think that have with a lot of imput, they had come with a different proposal

here. and i am delight that had you are doing it. and i hope that we will get a big vote on this a menment it is really important. all right. thank you for the comments. and echo what he said about senator kunz and also to talk about what we are standing out as for america. and open markets and trade and prosperity. this is a good way to approach it. and a cooprative player with agoa and mr. chairman i simply want to thank the senator from georgia foretaking the lead on this amendment and poultry is very important in virginia as well. i appreciate the way that i think that he has navigated this to make sure that we the office of the president use that's authority to keep -- hold south africa's feet to the fire.

so i mentioned that because i am not going to offer those amendments because it is not clear. i want to complement the chairman on the bill he has brought forward and ours -- urge us to adopt the isaacson. >> any other comments or amendments?

>> thank you very much, much, mr. chairman. i choose to strongly support the agoa legislation in front of us and offer an amendment. last august i had the privilege of leading -- yes. [inaudible conversations] i we will be happy to do that and then strongly in support of senator isaacson's amendment as well >> i we will be i we will be happy with the voice vote mr. chairman. a voice vote is fine. [inaudible conversations] >> am sorry. >> not a problem. i wanted to share that i was pleased to ask the

agriculture community to lead a delegation of women senators to africa. one of the things we were struck by is the significant, in fact majority of those in agriculture are women and work very hard all day all night, are not able to own the property that they farm. they they are not allowed to give loans, not allowed to have an inheritance laws that allow the pass their work past there were can land on to children. we found that women were not afforded the same equal opportunities to be able to develop their businesses and their farms. after meeting with women from at least 15 different countries and the leaders of different countries it became clear to us that we should make cheap -- make sure that agoa is clear about the importance of moving forward and sending a strong message to our african trading partners and we expect them to recognize the critical role that women

play in the development of their economies. the the leaders we met with indicated to us that they were aware and moving in that direction. but having in the agoa simple language that simply makes it clear we expect our african trading partners to make sure they are establishing projects it is an important part of this legislation. i asked the floor for my colleagues. this colleagues. this is an important part of growing economy in africa. >> it seems to me that promoting the role of women in social political, and economic development is something that we can all get behind. behind. i very much appreciate the center offering is important amendment. it highlights how critical

the role of women we will be with respect to developing. the chairman and i have talked about it. we can do this by voice. i am supportive of this and that will continue throughout the process. >> if i could just thank the sen. for her lead on this. we see economic development through the empowerment of women because they make the investment in the family and the family's education. we want to make sure they get fair access to the resource. so thank you for having us vote. >> any further comment? >> we will do this by voice. all those who oppose will say no. the eyes have it, and the amendment is adopted. we are turning to you. >> thank you, mr. chairman.

amendment number one. thank you, mr. chairman. we pride ourselves in having among the freest, fairest, most open market in the world but there are unfortunate exceptions. in my view we have misguided laws limiting access to the international sugar market. laws limiting access to the international sugar market. the worst limitation among these is the tariff rate quota that severely limits sugar imports from other countries. because of these us sugar prices are consistently higher, often much higher than the world average. just yesterday sugar trading in the world market was trading at $.13 per $0.13 per pound. sugar trading domestically traded at $0.25 per pound. families who have to pay higher prices for food that they consume, and the us department of commerce this

is amazing, the us department of commerce found and destroyed three american manufacturing jobs for every sugar growing job that is saves. my memo would alter the legislation to allow sugar from america's least developed trading partners to enter the us duty-free and exempt. this will help american families, families manufacturers, and the economies of the world's most economically vulnerable nations. >> i think my friend and appreciate his work on this issue. the generalized system of preferences is critical. as they develop their economies. the equivalent is a tax break. pushing for a quick reauthorization of the program. i'm interested in hearing any ideas about

making the program more effective for beneficiaries and american producers. however, the cigarette industry represents a lot of economic value for some of the countries they study this issue more closely and try to resolve it. this time without fully understanding the economic results i have to oppose. anyone else 70 comments. it's very similar to that of the chairman. significantly impact the policy. now is not the time or place to do it. it it is an issue that is within the jurisdiction of which i am privileged to be

the chairman. a similar request following within the responsibility of the amendment. i would tell the gentleman from pennsylvania who has my eminent respect, find all members are friendly open, open-minded, welcoming of involvement, but the finance commitment to the finance committee, publishing, more especially the farm bill or the farm program i would be more than happy to continue to work with you on how your concerns would be addressed. >> anyone else? >> mr. chairman, briefly, i support the chairman and my partner on the agricultural committee. committee. we asked members to allow us to deal with that. >> anyone else? >> mr. chairman. >> i also respect my

colleague end the argument over jurisdiction, but i would like to send a strong message. strongly support what this amendment is trying to do and i hope the chairman will take that into consideration as one member saying i think that we have gone too long allowing someone egregious subsidy. i welcome the distinguished senator from indiana's governments. >> let me just say i acknowledge. an obvious relation. it deals directly with the generalized system of preferences. i we will ask. >> mr. chairman. >> i had to ask for recognition.

a lot more complications. actually the countries produced 7 million 7 million metric tons and get to bring 100,000 tons duty-free. this will ruin the market for us producers, mexican producers, ruin the market for 30 a developing countries that have long enjoyed duty-free access to the us market and practice. i would hope that is something more comprehensive to the proper committee then to try and change policy and one small part at this time. >> any other comments? the clerk will call the roll.

[roll call] [roll call]

this is a preferable bill.

this is the preference for bahrain. that is the location the united states navy 5th fleet in the persian gulf. they bring in yarn and fabric and make it into garments and textiles. you all asked me to modify it and this is the modified amendment so that the preference is conditional on the labor department certifying that the high rain is living up to its labor commitment. i think that is a reasonable mise. now, the reason that this is super important to me there is a town in florida's

panhandle halfway between tallahassee and pensacola named chipley, florida. a town of some 1500 people. it has one industry in the town and it employs 300 people in that little town and that industry takes this stuffing of comforters that has been produced in bahrain and brings it and makes it into comforters. if we do not continue his trade preference that has been they're, that business is going to fold in that little town and lose 300 jobs. that is my plea, mr. chairman. >> mr. chairman. >> yes, sen.

>> thank you, mr. chairman. i urge colleagues to support the nelson amendment. preference levels are important. they reflect policies put in place as part of our free trade agreement with bahrain allow a trading partner preferential treatment on a certain set of goods in order to help them set up a fully integrated supply chain. i think we ought to support the amendment. i appreciate my colleague's interest, and it ought to be included in this package. i yield back. >> mr. chairman, i we will be brief. i want to talk about another place that has textiles, the state of north carolina. and, you know, the nature -- the nature of congress for the past 30 years has been

allowing people to get into the textile business because it is easy and cheap and just like senator nelson lobbies for the jobs that he creates, 300 jobs in florida command probably used to be 3 million in north carolina command we have a textile industry that hangs on the ledge

many of my colleagues might agree with that. they require a significant more and. we reserve the offsets traditionally used for trade functions. i urge my colleagues to vote no as much as i understand

the good feelings and good thinking of my friends from florida. any other comments from the senator from maryland? >> thank you, mr. chairman. i understand the concern of the amendment that will deal with think iraq what. it seems to me that in dealing with trade preference levels that there was we thought, a process that would be used to consider whether we should extend them are not. it does not seem like we are following the process. i am sympathetic to the concern. i do not no whether we intentionally wanted to end the tpl program when we did. in regard to nicaragua there are jobs in maryland directly dependent upon the extension of that wall. i would hope that we would

have a regular process working with the ustr as to what is the policies on extension of programs. i have an i have an amendment to deal with nicaragua and would like to see is considered. i think there are unintended consequences where failure to pay attention to a deadline and recognize that not only in as an it has an impact on the country involved and trade policy with that country but an impact on domestic. >> i understand. >> further comments? >> may i close? at the appropriate time i would like to close. certainly i would 2nd the comments made by senator cardin. there will be consequences if we do not do it as has been suggested i do it on one of these bills. the navy's full fleet is there.

you know you know that the local travel that they have had in bahrain you know all of our activities and how much bahrain has been an ally of ours in that war that we are pursuing over there against the terrorist. i am afraid that this will be big news in bahrain that the united states has turned on its yield with our full fleet headquartered right there. now, i would just say that this is stuffing that is made in bahrain not made any place else as you suggested in your comment. anyplace else in america. so we are running competition. i agonize for you and what has happened in the textile industry and as i have had

occasion for voting in the past, i have tried to support north carolina not only in textiles but things. look at what has happened in your furniture industry. this is one part of florida that will be dramatically affected, and it is possible that the united states foreign-policy is going to be affected because of the news that would be received. >> the clerk will call the roll. [roll call]

[roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] >> the clerk will report the vote. >> ten to 16. >> the amendment is

conceded. this bill and the customs bill. that are success with the customs bill. i just hope that what senator nelson said, we would have a process to consider because i do think that we -- if we do not take these issues of we're making a policy and this is an issue important are committed to exercise a policy of jurisdiction an opportunity at another. >> making a good., and this is an additional area. follow-up the chairman. there ought to be a process. this one off situation.

your suggestion for the future is a good one. >> the comments of everybody >> mr. chairman, can i i just say i appreciate the acceptance of my amendment with the industry is important to the economy with millions of jobs. the change in tariffs will help consumers. >> i would like to add my thanks for including us in the bill. thank you so much. >> if there is no further debate i entertain a motion that the community passed the original bill. anyone willing that? >> that is enough right there. does any senator require a recorded vote? okay. all those in favor say i.

oppose no. the eyes have it. okay. i would then moved to the customs bill. >> let me say a word or two. modification of the trade enforcement act of 2015. senator wyden and many other members on the community ensuring that importers can

move goods efficiently is important but equally important that they comply with laws and regulations. customs and border protection is on the frontlines ensuring american innovation is protected at the border. the chairman's mark contains new provisions expressing america's knew support for the nation of israel. i am a strong supporter of israel. moderate arabs as well. our 1st bilateral free trade partner and one of our strongest allies in the middle east, yet they continue to face discriminatory, economic and political pressure. the united states should stand beside israel. israel. we must demonstrate our steadfast commitment so that israel can continue to drive sen. wyden, i believe, agrees with me which is why we are able to include a number of important entrance and then we were able to include this provision.

a good package. okay. >> i want colleagues to know that this section particularly trade enforcement, enforcement the most robust set of trade enforcement provisions in decades and i want to thank my colleagues for their efforts including the enforcement which is critically important to go after tax cheers. it allows us to have an early warning system to go after import surges which has been important in business and labor because often they do not here about things until it is too late. and i particularly want to commend sen. brown because this includes his efforts for what is called a level playing field.

that is particularly important. so i hope that colleagues will support this. this goes right to the heart of whether there will be a new playbook for trade policy. people talk policy. people talk about how trade 2015 is different than trade back in the 1990s. this section reflects it. >> the committee will now walked to the market and modification. i recognize a member of our staff to do so. i did not blow that one. assistant general counsel dolls from the department of the treasury. commissioner bell from cpb office of international trade as well as jericho from gct. members benefit to answer any questions that anyone has. briefly describe the main pieces of the proposal