do you want to? mr. hartunian: yes, thank you sir. what is working. i think our opposite along the border are working very hard. they are really working hard to get the job done, but it is certainly a critical component. i think what works on the northern border is close collaboration with the canadians, and while that might be a bit more challenging in mexico i think it can be done and close collaboration between the prosecutors of both nations and that is something we are seeing happening more and more. we are working to improve that make that happen more frequently, and i think that is certainly an important approach that we could take. senator carper: thank you, sir. is maybe one of the reasons we work better with the canadians is we have less concerned about that information finding itself in the wrong hands, in canada? mr. hartunian: i think there is

cooperation with the mexican authorities. i think in all cases we have to be careful how we share law enforcement information. that is certainly not a barrier that cannot be overcome. mr. carper: thank you. you were there for a number of years. thank you for that, as well. mr. spero: from my perspective it is not just the one meeting the one event, the one policy discussion. we have a number of conversations, both with our federal partners on the border as well as the canadians year round. it could be case specific. it could be program specific, and if we have to then follow up on these discussions where we put a working group together to work on maybe some ship issues or intel issues where we need to look, and so those i think are

the best practices that work well for us on the border and that make us unique and that we need to keep going, and hopefully, we can eventually have those types of pluses in place on the southern border to help. mr. carper: thanks. mr. spero same question please. mr. spero: senator carper, i had a little extra time to formula and i guess the best way to describe it or the way i look at it is it is not necessarily how do we take what is working on the northern border and bring it down to the southern border, but it is an exchange of best practices across both borders as well as the interior of the united states, and i use the border enforcement security task forces as the best example. it was initially created in laredo in 2005 2 fight the

violence associated with the transnational criminal organizations that were affecting specifically the southern border. that model, the success of that model with the collaboration and cooperation, working together on the cases was then brought up to the northern border, and now we have best task forces. i happen to oversee two in my aor of buffalo, the buffalo best as well as the miss you know us, but at the same time, it just does not stop there. -- as well as the messino best. we had a great framework to start with, but then we take that to the next level so our ability to expand, we actually have over just about 43 members now of our best team in messina so our ability is to incorporate

our canadian law enforcement counterparts at all levels whether it is the rcmp or others , in québec or the regional police officer, and having as much, not just information sharing, because, of course, information sharing is extremely important, but we are able to actually take the information in those collaboration sessions and put them to use in our investigations, and that is how we complete that last piece of identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that are the biggest threats to the homeland. senator carper: thank you. mr. wagner? deputy wagner: the workload load, looking at ways to better utilize the physical infrastructure that is there and getting the most deficiencies we can out of it. now, how we define something as lower risk or higher risk is all

depending on what we have the analysis and targeting capabilities, also enhanced i what our foreign partners are sharing with us. we have very good data exchange with the canadian government and the mexican government. they have different capacities as to what access they can get, what information they collect and within their own privacy constraints what they can share with us, but it is a little different within both countries but we do robust information exchanges with the government as well as the canadian government and helps us make that risk segmentation determination. senator carper: good. chief, my time has expired, and my colleagues are back. could you answer that question for me, please? chief fisher: yes, we see in the northern border in terms of sheer dass shared information and integration, and then you have a degree of sustainability in that effort we can do a lot better in the southern area in that regard. thank you, senator.

senator: thank you for holding down the senate floor. senator ayotte. sen. ayotte: thank you. representing new hampshire, the northern border is pretty important to us, and i am not sure if you have been asked this question yet, but one of the directors of national intelligence, james clapper, has identified drug trafficking obviously as a major transnational organized crime, and in my state, we are seeing a large heroin epidemic, and i know a lot of that is coming across the southern border. what are the biggest issues on the northern border, and can you under -- help me to understand about the information sharing with canadian authorities? even the federal officials would be working with the canadian side.

whoever is best to take that question, thanks. mr. spero: thank you. the intelligence we are developing through our ongoing criminal investigations and our closed investigations is we are seeing in precursor chemicals or heroin coming from china. it is being imported into mexico under the control of the cartels. the cartels are using the existing smuggling networks to get them into the united states through the southwest border, and whether those smuggling networks -- the smothering networks -- smuggling networks are used whether it is people or drugs, cartels have control over the networks and the

pathways, and they are using that to get heroin into the country for either ultimate consumption here in the united states or in some cases on into canada, as well, and one of the things we were talking about is our ability to make sure that we do everything we can across all levels of law enforcement, whether it is federal, state, or local law enforcement, or in my particular neck of the wits, even travel law enforcement, and international law enforcement, as well, particularly with our canadian counterpart on the canadian side of the border. where we have the biggest issues in my particular aor, the ass massina area, we use our security task forces as a mechanism to share this back and forth with the counterparts, so

we have cross designated -- we have given essentially title 19 or customs authority basically making state and local law enforcement designated customs officials, but also, we are able to do that with canadian local law enforcement officials, as well, and then they can come and work the networks on this side of the border so that the idea here is to open up information sharing, work the cases together, and instead of -- not only trying to remove the u.s. canadian border as a potential barrier to law enforcement, we are in some cases actually able to use it to our advantage, so we understand it is a problem. heroine seems to be on the rise, but one of the things we think is the best way to conduct to identify, disrupt, or dismantle

these organizations, whether it is heroine or cocaine or marijuana or firearms, for that matter with a destination countries working together with law enforcement at all levels to share the information and work the cases. sen. ayotte: so i get all of that, just thinking about how do we drive up the price of heroin, because one of the problems we have with heroin is that it is so cheap. obviously, the tougher we can make it to transport this stuff it is so cheap that some people are addicted to prescription drugs, and they go over to heroin, and it is a huge public health epidemic, not just in new hampshire but across the country. i mean, do we need to give you bigger tools? what do we need to give you to drive up the price to come down on the people transporting

heroin? mr. spero: one of the things we look at, whether it is heroine -- and one of the things i should have mentioned one of the things we have seen with heroin is the heroin laced with sentinel -- fentenol. sen. ayotte: heroine laced with steroids. mr. spero: if we can be more effective in reducing the supply, then that would drive up -- that would be one way to drive up the price. another thing we are trying to do, with almost every enforcement program that we have at homeland security investigations, there is also a public outreach or a public service message that goes along with it, so if we do have a particularly big search warrant where there is a big seizure or a big arrest or a big sentence, we are trying to get out to the public that, hey, if it is the

kids that are using the heroin that is laced, you do not know what the impacts are. this is why it is important that you do not use it. sen. ayotte: we have to do a better question about that. as i understand it, and whoever is the best question to answer, right now as i understand it, canada does not have a system in place to screen inbound airline passengers against the terror watch list so they are moving toward the capability. is this true, and if so, those on the terror watch list can presumably enter canada on an airplane. is that true? who knows about that? can you help me understand that? i am worried we have gotten these foreign fighters that have

gone to obviously syria, iraq yemen. some of them are canadians. we have had some americans also, but canada, we have a great relationship with canada, so if you can get to canada without getting through the watch list, it is really not that hard to get to the united states of america, the what are your thoughts on this problem? chief fisher: they have a similar way of screening against the airline manifest before that person comes into the country. we work very closely with them, and we identify similar approaches to how we rain that. we call them rules, and we set rules against how we scrub that data and how we identify national security or other types of concern. we do joint rule creation and exchanges, and we have certain protocols in place that when certain rules fire, we will exchange information and ask each country about additional

information. sen. ayotte: do you know if they have their equivalent of the terror watch list? chief fisher: they have customs records and access to interpol. sen. ayotte: when you are thinking about a friendly neighbor like canada, why can't we join forces in terms of that terror watch list information? i know we do information sharing, but it seems to me we have got some -- if we cannot trust the canadians, we are in trouble. any thoughts on that? chief fisher: we do not own that information, so it would not be ours to exchange with them, but we would certainly welcome access to any additional sources. sen. ayotte: maybe i am asking that of the wrong person. i serve on the in the asian committee, and i think this is perhaps the question i should direct to tsa or someone. chief fisher: just one final

point. if summit he flies into canada and drives across the border, we have the same checks that we have in commercial aviation. they are the same systems and the same database. sen. ayotte: so you would catch it there, even if canada did not catch it? great. senator carper: that is a great point. my understanding is the same as yours, that they are not using our watchlist and i think we need to see what we can do to cooperate between two governments. correct. thank you for coming. again, thank you all for your time, your efforts, your testimony. his hearing record will remain open for 15 days until may 7 four west and of the record. this meeting is adjourned. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] announcer: on the next "washing

ton journal," we will talk to representative tom cole about isis in iraq and syria, and congressman becerra chair of the caucus, on his party's legislative agenda. washington journal is live each morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. announcer: here are some of our featured programs this weekend on the c-span networks. saturday evening on c-span, the white house correspondent annual dinner, live coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. eastern with red carpet arrivals, remarks by president obama, and entertainment by a saturday night live member, and then judith miller on her time in prison for not revealing the source of her reports before and during the iraqi invasion. saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.

eastern on c-span two, book tv is live in the maryland take capital for the annapolis book festival, with authors including former attorney general alberto gonzales on immigration and more on world war ii and the holocaust, and sunday night at 10:30, coinciding with the release of the new first lady's book presidential historians on the lives on 45 iconic women along with authors exploring the lives of our first ladies, and on american history tv on c-span3 saturday night at 8:00 p.m. eastern, lectures in history. stanford university professor on some of the issues debated during the constitutional convention of 1787, and sunday afternoon at 4:30, years after the fall of saigon, veterans talk about their war experiences. get our complete schedule at c-span.org.

announcer: the senate finance committee today worked on legislation related to international trade, including fast-track trade promotion authority that would give the president the ability to negotiate trade deals and get straight up or down votes on them in congress. the committee also considered job-training programs for workers hurt by foreign competition. this markup session begins with a statement by committee chair orrin hatch. chair hatch: let's have order. the committee will come to order. the committee is meeting today to consider four trade bills. first is an original bill related to be assistance program and the health care tax credit. the second is the original bill relating to the african growth opportunity act, and other trade

programs. the third is an original bill relating to customs and enforcement, and the fourth is 95, the bipartisan accountability act. all of these bills have gone through long and difficult negotiations between myself, my ranking member, and agreed to by the ways and means committee chairman, chairman ride. all are supported by the administration, which is kind of amazing if you think about it. it is these measures as separate bills. once we do that, that is our plan. once we do that, i want to assure that all four are inactive into law, and as we discussed previously, we worked with our reinking member and the senate leadership to see these move on parallel tracks -- with our ranking member.

representatives: you have the way of enacting these bills into law. each one of them is important. although we have looked at the procedural approach, it is important that all four of these will be enacted into law, in particular tpa and taa originated back in the 1960's as a compact, whereby each reinforces the other, and that remains the case in my view today, so it is critically important that they travel on parallel tracks so that both can be enacted simultaneously.

i will respond, and then i will have a brief opening statement. chair hatch: i will make an opening statement at this time. ok, today's markup is an important staff in the effort to enhance american trade. each of the bills before us today has been in the works for some time, and each of them is the product of bipartisan compromise and cooperation. what we said in a hearing last week, u.s. foreign trade with foreign countries is a good thing. that is a pretty simple statement and one that is hard to disagree with, and while i think many would not cripple with that, there are a wide range of views as to how we should go about facilitating trade. i expect many of those views to

be discussed today. i am personally looking forward to it. my first is that we should be doing all we can do to tear down barriers to american exports while at the same time creating enforceable rules for our trading partners so we can assure that the job creators are on a fair and level playing field. that is the goal of all of the bills on today's agenda, and i would like to take just a few seconds to talk about each of them. the first one is about the trade assistance or taa. this legislation represent the compromise between senator wyden and the house chairman paul ryan. i am not a fan taa, but i recognize it support and's to this committee on both sides of the aisle -- i recognize its importance to members on both sides of the aisle, and we will debate the program on its merits, and i suspect that it will go through. next, we will consider a bill that will reauthorize and improve three of our programs, the general system gsp, the

growth and opportunity act, and references for haiti. these are very important tools for building our trade diversify their economies, and creating jobs and at the same time there are the tear productions provided under the programs. i would like to thank senator isakson, less than been a leader on the growth and opportunity. we are very grateful for his work on this, and we will have this. thanks so much to senator isakson's input. there was an agreement reached by senator wyden, chairman ride, and myself. after considering taa and the preference go, we'll move to legislation designed to strengthen and improve the work of the customs and border

protection agency. the trade facilitation and trade enforcement act of 2015 put in place the right tools to deal with counterfeit products that threaten american innovation and the health and safety of the american people. the bill also helps bolster american experts by -- exports by ensuring that they comply with trade law. this is another bipartisan law that will help advance america's agenda and create better jobs and a stronger economy at home. finally, after we have debated and voted on these three bills will move to consideration of the bipartisan accountability act, to renew trade promotion authority. this legislation represents a bipartisan, bicameral effort to empower our trade negotiators in crafting u.s. trade policy. it was introduced by senator wyden and myself in the senate and by chairman ryan in the

house. this is truly a historic bill, containing the clearest articulation of trade priorities in our nation's history. it includes almost 150 ambitious negotiating efforts that will direct our trade negotiators to break down barriers we face in the 21st century economy. the bill also contains unprecedented consultation requirement that will enhance congress of us be as role in the trade negotiation process. i would like to commend senator crapo bringing attention to insufficient congressional and public access to trade negotiations. one of the important changes will sure this well before they are signed. this should help with public confidence in the process, and senator crapo has been influential in helping us get there. like prior tpa bills, the procedures in our bill guarantee that we have included new tools

to hold the administration accountable. whatever administration it may be, including a procedure that congress can employ if our trade negotiators failed to consult or make progress towards meeting the objectives. this is a good bill, one that i think members of both parties can support. at the end of the day, i think the lessee is strong bipartisan vote in favor of the tpa legislation. i have more to say on tpa and all of the build on today's agenda as the meeting moves on. for now, i just want to once again think my colleagues for their help on these issues, in particular senator wyden. i would like to thank senator wyden for working with me on all of these bills. it has taken some time to get here, but i think it is also worth the effort. i also want to think senator portman, who is an expert on trade, and his advice and counsel has been vital to our efforts. he has been a trade ambassador in the past, and we have relied

heavily on him. the taa has been extremely helpful. in addition, senator to me -- toomey. senator thume has worked on digital trade. we would like to thank him for his help on this and other areas, in my old buddy senator grassley has provided invaluable advice on agricultural issues, so thanks, chuck, for your help. with that, i just want to say this is a good day for the senate finance committee, but it is not time to celebrate yet. we still have work to do. i now recognize senator wyden for any opening remarks he would like to make, and then we will go from there. senator wyden: senator, thank you, and i very much appreciate you and i have been working at

this now for over six months. i want to say to my democratic colleagues that i could go right down the road and single out each one of them, and we would be here to breakfast time, so i am going to be doing that a little bit later. i am just going to make a few points as we get to this discussion. over the next decade and a half, the global middle class is going to balloon by more than 2 billion people, and they are going to be spending an awful lot of money. they are going to buy computers. they are going to buy cars. they are going to buy medical products, agricultural goods engineering services, and more. the reason i think this is such a crucial topic is i wanted those billions of people to buy those products that are designed and built by oregonian and american workers and get those workers high skill, high wage jobs in a tough global economy. if we are going to do that, it

is going to take a fresh trade policy. the president put it very well in the state of union when he said, and i quote here, past trade deals have not always lived up to the height area in my view, the 1990's playbook on trade has to go. the trade policies in 2015 have got to work better for america's middle class, and that is why i have been working with so many of you on with respect to the bills we are going to do with today, so here is what is going to change with this package. our country is going to aim higher in trade agreements. our trade enforcement will be much tougher, and the process of negotiating and voting on agreement will be more transparent. it will be more open. it will be more democratic. the legislation is designed to safeguard american sovereignty and promote american values. congress will be sending u.s. trade policy in a more

progressive direction than it has ever been before. many spent a lot of time over the last several days discussing these proposals and the peace of the package that focuses on trade promotion is certainly going to get much of the attention this package is going back to american workers with job training and financial support and access to healthcare when they are not off stride by the global economy. it is a tough challenge competing in global markets and there is fierce competition everywhere. that's why the package extends the health coverage tax credit and expands and trade adjustment assistance to include service workers in addition to manufacturing. the assistance benefits will be enhanced. it will extend the generalized

system through 2017. it will be extended for a decade. these are important programs. important programs that will do a lot of good for developing nations around the world. i'm looking forward to a spirited debate on all these proposals and i know they're going to be many amendments and certainly a lot of energetic discussion. i also believe there's a lot of common ground, particularly on guaranteeing modern policies that work for the american middle class. thank you. chairman: we don't have any displays or outbursts in this room or we'll -- we'll not only escort you out of the room we'll do more than that as far as i'm concerned. let's treat everybody with respect on both sides of these issues. we'll have to vote and let the

senator get his opening remarks. he said they'll be about three minutes. senator: well i'm not sure, i thought we would get to this point a more or two ago, but it worked out well that senator hatch and senator whiteton can get us to this point. trade is important to our country and authority with it we are going to mark it up today we already know and common sense dictates that 80% of the purchasing power in the world is located outside the united states along with 95% of the world's consumers. as the middle expands in regions

such as asia we have to make sure our businesses and workers have the ability to take advantage of the economic opportunity that growth represents. in iowa alone 438,000 jobs are dependant on trade and those jobs pay 18% higher wages on average because they're tied to trade. we know that american business and workers are the most efficient and productive in the world. we just need to make sure that they have the opportunity to succeed and while i support and believe in immense benefits of free trade i also oppose countries making their experts goods cheaper in the world market. no business can compete with cheap currencies that are artificially low and have an exchange rate that prevents.

/* the bill includes clear tkpwoerb aeugs /* /* negotiations that might be scienced based which help limit disruptions to exports. negotiating objectives are offered, related to digital trade and goods and cross border data flows that are new and unique issues for the town we live in. clear guidance is given for localization barriers and intellectual property rights. more transparency are also there. the t.p.p. and other trade agreements that we might take up

in the future offer tremendous opportunity in the home state of iowa. we must take this necessary first step that is why we are here today and so i'm glad that we're proceeding accordingly. it thank you for allowing this. i filed many amendments. 88 88 initially to the four bills we're considering today. they improve the key areas and

expand congress's role which is what this should all be about in assessing trade agreements. i appreciate chairman hatch working with my staff to get some of them considered and look forward to debating them into the course of the evening. i wanted to thank chairman hatch and ranking member for including the chairman's mark the level the playing field act. they face an onslaught of unfairly traded imports and need strong trade remedy laws to fight back. i know you and your staff spent many weeks to get this bill included. i'm great thanks to my colleagues senator portman and casey and burr and coats for their advocacy.

>> let's go vote and we'll be back as soon as we can.

call to order. i will now recognize anyone who wants to give opening statements. i would urge you not to give them. if you feel like it, i urge you to give them. that a would be fine with me. it would allow us to move more quickly to the business at hand. i would ask they limit to their comments to no more than three minutes. are there any -- is there any desire to give any opening statements? then we'll-- you're recognized. >> thank you, chairman. first i want to say we're moving ahead with this debate because as you know, they're incredibly

important to our economy in ohio. we want more markets for our exports. at the same time as you and i know because we talked about this a lot ohioans are concerned we level the playing field. in other words that american manufactures, service providers who are facing illegally subsidized him ports have a chance to compete and fairly. i have a number of priorities that will be considered that focus on supporting good paying jobs in ohio while also holding our competitor's feet to the fire. way'nt to mention three priorities that have been adopted into the trade package. first i'm pleased to learn that amendment crucial for the steel workers has been adopted. this amendment will ensure that they'll remain globally competitive. it's a tough time for the steal industry and the last thing they need is is unfair competition

and this makes it easier to use. when competitors cheat they need to be held accountable. unfortunately some of our competitors don't play by the rules sometimes and that's why i want them to crackdown on these countries that evade through evaluation schemes that be addressed through the enforce act and i'm pleased to see in the customers bill. i'm pleased to see that trade adjustment assistance will extend the healthcare issue that we've talked about a lot in this community health coverage tax credit and this is important to workers and families in youngstown ohio including 5,000

retirees in ohio. it's a key priority and i appreciate it being in the legislation. with regard to trade negotiation, we try to get the best possible deal for american workers. i want to be clear as i have been in the past t.p. a. need to address issues such as currency manipulation. we all agree it's a bad idea. we want to prohibit it it and stop it and what we're trying it do is ensure that foreign governments are put on notice, that they enable their workers -- our workers to have a fair shot, that they don't get an unfair advantage over our workers and manufacturers by manipulating their currency so they're weaker over the american dollar. some of our competitors, china and japan have made it a lot

cheaper and third country markets at the expense of our workers. if that isn't bad enough it directly supports good paying jobs here at home. here's a letter signed by thousands of ohio auto workers who call currency manipulation the most critical trade barrier in the 21st century. these are the views not just of auto workers but those concerned about this issue. i've had a chance to visit with them and this is a why this amend many is so important. with so much to gain, can't wait to see them taking away at the expense of american manufacturing. that's why i stood by side by side to make sure they're targeting u.s. jobs and ranging from working with the united steel workers on cases impacting tire workers, uncoded paper

products and i work closely with my colleagues from ohio brown. i'm pleased to be joined introducing an amendment to jump start and it will ensure that an m.t.b. can restart this process next year. this is important it a lot of manufacturers and other companies we all represent. this bill helps american manufacturers remain globally competitive. and since its expiration they've had to cut jobs to deal with rising production jobs and working forward to helping together and help american manufacturers. they are introducing an amendment to ensure to protect our ally israel who has been the target of economic warfare to weaken weaken.

the issues particularly important as we consider negotiations with the you're european union and today is the 30th anniversary of the trade agreement with israel which was signed by the minister of congress ariel sharon 30 years ago. i think all of us can agree we need to expand exports. that's good to our economy. it creates more jobs and good paying jobs. they pay 18% more and we have to ensure that this playing field is made more level for our works workers in ohio and around the country. commissioner. chairman hatch: thank you, senator.

if you would like to make an opening statement -- go ahead. go ahead. >> thank you very much mr. chairman. i'll be brief. i wanted to thank both mr. chairman yourself and ranking member for including two of my amendments in the modified chairman's mark, one that creates a chief manufacturing negotiator for uspr. we have a chiefing a khurl negotiator but not manufacturing negotiator and not have an economy and middle class if we don't make things and grow things and the other thing would

existing agricultural trade technical assistance programs and thank roberts for working with me. even though we come down from different places on this and i will not be supporting tpa, for me bottom line we want to export our products and not our jobs. when we look at a global economy we have a choice of creating a system where there is a race to the top to strengthen the middle class but those around the world or race to the bottom in terms of environmental standards and shipping jobs overseas. i don't see a toughness and we'll talk more about currency later. i appreciate there is some currency language but not strong enough to be enforceable and i

think it's incredibly important whatever we do have tough enforceable standards in it. i appreciate the opportunity to say a few words and we'll certainly have more discussion during amendments. >> thank you, anybody else want to make an opening statement. mr. chairman i want to thank you for getting us where we are. this is necessary and long overdue. tpa expired in 2007. we simply will not be able to conclude trade negotiations that. this bill will consider today as modernized as the 21st century. i what topbt mention a couple of things. i appreciate your help. the legislation includes a number of important provisions. i want to highlight two in

particular. one has to do with helping us to eliminate non-barriers abroad that increase our agricultural exports. unjustified non-scienced based negotiations to become a major impediment to trade and something we need to combat. secondly it includes something help maintain the edge. the nations do not attempt to dick it's where the infrastructure is based and pulled. these provisions are critical if we want a trade policy. in addition i want to thank chairman and ranking member for the authorization legislation that we'll consider today. this includes a provision from the legislation i introduced with senator nor /*.

this is the first time we're updating it in over 20 years. the chairman's mark sends a signal they need to follow suit in updating their levels as well. the customs bill fights the shipment of chinese honey to other countries. additionally the market adopts the mark to ensure that they treat our producers fairly as they select duties related to imports. i look forward to committee action and passage of these bills in connection i hope very soon on the senate floor. thank you, mr. chairman. chairman hatch: anyone care to make an opening statement? senator roberts.

senator: i understand we are on standard eastern time and also understand like king tut we are pressed for time. i have a wonderful opening statement, absolutely wonderful but i'll submit it for the record and let it go. come on. come on. mr. chairman? i'll follow suit. chairman hatch: that's really good. anybody else care to make an opening statement? we don't want it -- >> mr. chairman, if i could submit an opening statement for the record also. chairman hatch: that would be fine without objection. >> thank you. >> same. could i move we all the

opportunity to have opening statements. chairman hatch: you have such a wonderful way of doing things. today's first order of business is a technical document on the trade adjustment assistance and enhancement act of 2015. now before we begin i would like to put this trade adjustment assistance mark in context. what is before the committee today is a carefully negotiated compromise between ranking member widen and house ways and means committee ryan. i do not support trade adjustment assistance but i did agree i would help ensure that t. a. a. and trade promotion authority move in parallel forms and to allow t.a.a. to come before the committee for a fair vote. i've always been willing to debate and consider t.a. a. on its own merits and provide us with its own opportunity if anyone wants to debate the

issue. anybody care to bring up anything on t.a.a.? >> i'll be very brief as well. this is a critically important piece of legislation. because this ensures that as the economy changes, those changes don't knock our workers off stride. this is what in effect gives them a spring board to new opportunities in a tough economy and high wage jobs. i hope my colleagues support it. chairman: anyone care to make a statement? >> i'm sorry i was on the floor concerning another bill. are we not making opening statements is that been --

chairman: some have. >> i would like to make an opening statement. senator. . i like to thank senator hatch and widen for their efforts. i think they've done a fine job. i believe this trade promotional authority bill is a major improvement over the last t.p. a. bill. i think the way you hold transparency and negotiating objectives and good governance and human rights and how you dealt with enforcement is a major improvement. and we need t.p.a. authority to complete the agreement and i hope we have a successful t.p.p. agreement. i hope that we'll have a chance

to improve the t.p.a. bill as we move forward through the process. let me tell you my concern. trade presents an opportunity to advance values. yes, economic values but the type of people we are and the principals we advance. i'm proud of our predecessors who against all odds we were able to get a major provision included in trade that many at the time said why are you putting this in a trade issue. when in fact the united states provided the leadership that brought down the apartheid government in south africa by using trade than bullets. that's a strong tool we have in this country. yes, i'm concerned we have adequate provisions in trade agreements and that's why i have been very focused during this process when good governance, human rights and capacity

building. the legislation before us has short comings in that regard. i have said from the very beginning as my top priority to have enforceable negotiating objectives to accomplish good governance and human rights and capacity building. when we saw the bill for the first time, i pointed out on page 32 as i was reading through it that the enforcement provisions that are in the bill apply only to principal negotiating objectives. now principal negotiating objectives include good, services investments, intellectual properties, transparency, labor, environment, et cetera but not good governance. that's why i think it's critically important that the provisions that are included in this bill that deal with good governance and respect for human rights need to be a principal trade objective.

i would hope as we go through this process, we'll have an opportunity. i have several amendments that will point out c that is so important and i glad to call my colleague's attention to the language that's included on page 33 of the t.p.a. that points out very specifically that without making a principal objective, the trade enforcement provisions, are not applicable to the human rights and i think we need to correct that. chairman hatch: thank you, senator. we have nine senators in attendance. i hope we can keep our senators here so that we don't waste time and that nobody will be in convenienced because it's going to be a fairly long evening anyway, although i think we're getting to where it could be much shorter. the committee will walk through the mark and the modification. i recognize shane of our staff to do so.

we also have anderson of our committee staff as well as terry from c.b.o. and of course we have tom who is of immense value to this committee. the chief of staff from the j.c.t. to the member's benefit to ask any questions they care to ask. would you describe the main features of this proposal? >> thank you, mr. chairman. at this mark-up the city is considering a proposal. it extends the trade assistance program through june 30, 2021, and re-established the program

as of december 21, 2013. it authorizes the cap of $450 million annually and fiscal years 2015 to 2121. the proposal continues continuation of the reemployment trade adjustment assistance program, proposal makes changes to data collection or reporting requirements. with respect to the healthcare coverage tax credit, the proposal amends the definition of eligible coverage month to include months beginning before january 1, 2020. and election allowance and with respect to advance payment 0 h.t.c.t. chairman chairman.

chairman: any comments? >> this expanse t.a.a. to service workers which is extraordinarily important and this is a 6-year extension of a program that otherwise expires later this year. this is something that is always been done as part of trade and legislation to stand up for the workers. chairman: any other senators that have any questions about the mark? mr. chairman? >> i don't have a question, but i did want to have a brief opening statement. if it's appropriate now i would be happy to do that. chairman: before you do does anyone have any statement about it itself. >> mr. chairman, i had a question on this bill. chairman: you do? >> yes. what's been the interaction with

the health education labor and pension committee because they do the job training information? and they've covered quite a few of these 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 >>what is good to senator menendez: -- let's go to senator menendez. senator menendez: 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 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 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, we 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. >> we will go to senator nelson.

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 yarn 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 would you prefer me to offer it

on one of the other three bills than the tpa? i don't care what bill is put up. >> i would prefer one of the other bills. customers. we would like to keep this plane. we need to get it through the house. they told us if we can do that, it should go through the house. this is an important thing. the president wants it done. it is really nice to support him. he is right on this. he has been working at and i appreciate what he has done.

we will move on that basis if we can. if we can keep it clean, it is going to make it different -- making difference. >> if i could just tell the senator from florida i know this is in extremely 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. ok? all right. if there are no further questions at the table the proposal was open to amendment. are there amendments? did you have an amendment? anybody have any amendments? i don't see any hands?

>> senator cantwell was going first but i am ready. >> if you have an amendment nosy time to read i'm going to move the bill. senator brown. senator brown: amendment one, two and three asked to an amendment 12, 13, should to roll the 3 into 1. 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 menendez be added as co-sponsors without objection.

this would restore the funding levels 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 interest 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 fta's. 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. is no reason to increase the funding. we do not know 450 will be enough.

the cost for taa workers is -- if you take the average funding levels for the three years when eligibility was nearly the same as considering the day. expenditures averaged $570 million a year. the reduction is cuts for the sake of cuts. taa works. 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. the package ensures that all workers including the public sector workers and eligible for the taa. all workers that are impacted by the trade should be able to apply.

it increases 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. underfunding these programs either of them with the trade agreement. and 40% on the trade agreement coming up. tpp. another 20%. underfunding them when we are having this kind of impact in the world's economy will be the biggest mistake. 575 million is the same level president obama included in the budget and same level that 70 senators and members of the house of representatives in 2011. it is a level of the co-sponsors amendment. some are voting against it. it should be bipartisan across the board.

and this number is important for workers. i ask my colleagues for support. senator. >> i strongly oppose and following reasons why oppose it. that would increase for workers. the level to 575. i don't personally believe that the training fudged levels will be increased from 450 million. as you know we have always had reservations with regard to this program. and the extent to which the program has expanded over the years. the lack of accountability. i am not convinced that the program works. i certainly will not start increasing funding for it. i would ask our colleagues to

agree with that. i also oppose expanding coverage to the public sector workers who staff nontradable services like transportation, hospital care. and state and local benefit offices. taa was never intend today cover the sector workers whose job loss shared little to no nexus to trade so i am going to have to oppose the amendment. i appreciate the energy behind it. your kindness and trying to put it forward. >> the obama administration is urging the support of the proposal in its current form. and the senator from ohio. nobody has put the sweat equity into standing up for workers frankly.

i was love to have more money, the bottom line 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 it 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 i'm going to be working with my colleague. 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. i yield back. >> briefly, i want to strongly support the amendment. 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 have a stake in having the ability to be retrained. people want to work. 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. i support the amendment. 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.

i am assuming they move together? >> i said in my opening smart remarks -- we will move them together. thank you. >> 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 have as it works its way and moving through could resolve at some 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. look at what has happened with the trade deficits. president bush said that the trade deficit will translate into the lost jobs.

when the trade deficit with china and the body passed was 15 billion or so. today, it is is 25 billion a month. senator portman and i know when a plant is closed in sandusky or toledo ohio, public sector workers are directly impacted by trade, property tax revenues are down. police and fire and teachers get laid off. those layoffs are due directly to the trade issues. that is why public sector workers should be included. i ask for support for the a mmedment. >> the agreed to bill already offers a generous -- i really can't support expanding the program at this time. one reason is we have to get

this through the house as well. i understand what the distinguished senator is saying. does he want to devote -- to vote? the clerk will call the vote. mr. grassley? no. mr. corner? no by proxy. mr. burr. no by proxy. mr. portman, aye. mr. heller, no. mr. wyden. and no. mr. schuman.

aye by proxy. mr. nelson. aye. mr. menendez. aye. mr. brown. aye. mr. warner. aye. mr. chairman. chairman votes no. the final tally is 12-14. senator hatch: it is not agreed to. >> i want to thank you and ranking member whiten. -- wyden. no.

i filed two amendments. one is the expansion of a apprentice program. we have to talk about how we train the workforce. we had a hearing. both labor and business supported the apprentice program. 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. we have many jobs here that the u.s. can be competitive in. i look forward to working with you and senator wyden on both amendments in the future. senator hatch thank you very : much. as you know. you filed to the taa bill and i

inclued your first 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 context. i will look forward to working with you on these two issues. >> if you mean timely attention, before descender question -- before december? senator hatch: i hope so. >> i think this is an exceptionally important area. nobody has did not more to drive innovation in the united states senate. particularly in the renewable energy then senator cantwell. she understands that the policies that have been successful they can build out the supply chains.

i want her to understand, i consider this higher wordy business. i will work closely with her both on the energy committee and this committee. we will be working closely together. senator hatch: in my understanding correctly or withdrawing? senator cantwell: yes, mr. chairman. >> i would like to thank you and the ranking member for your work. i think that the taa bill that is before us is terribly important. and proud to support senator brown's amendment. although i was unsuccessful. i this i that most of usa dry on -- agree on both sides of the aisle is sequestration is stupidity on steroids and i was a little bit disappointed that we included an extension of the pay for taa. i think that it is hurting the hospitals and the health centers. it is unfortunate.

i propose to replace the medicare sequestration with a bipartisan paid for that has been previously voted out by the committee. it would not increase any reporting requirements for the taxpayer. 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 taa 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 pass 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.

senator hatch: i think the senator from for junior. >> i will be very brief. and i just want to thank the senator of virginia for handling this. 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. the fact that the senator from virginia has withdrawn today. i think just gives us anymore us -- new impetus to get serious as soon as we get this build on. i want to thank him personally for what he is doing. senator hatch: any further amendments on either side. without any further amendments. if there is no further debate. i would entertain the motion that the committee will order the bill reported modified and amended as an original bill. do we require a recorded vote?

>> i believe we can do it on a voice vote. taa? let's do a book -- rollcall vote. clerk: mr. grassley. no. mr. roberts. sorry? no by proxy. mr. thune? no. no by proxy. mr. issacson. no. mr. portman. aye. mr. portman. aye. mr. tomby.

aye. mr. burr. by proxy. mr. scott. no by proxy mr. wyden. aye. ms. cantwell. aye. mr. menendez. aye. mr. brown. aye by proxy. mr. warner. aye. mr. chairman. no.mr. roberts . senator roberts: i would like to be reported as aye.

clerk mr. chairman. :18 ayes. the eyes have it. >> i would like to change my vote to know. senator hatch: what change the outcome? >> no. senator hatch: without objection , it is changed. any further debate on this bill? >> my understanding is that it was on final passage.

didn't want to forego the possibility here. senator hatch the considered -- senator hatch: we will consider a bill to extent african growth opportunity. and the generalized preferences and the duty treatment program for haiti. and for other purposes. we are pleased the committee is considering legislation extending and renewing several of our programs today. let me say through months of hard work and toughing inations ranking member whiten and i were able to reach agreement on the bill with the ways and means committee chairman ryan. identical legislation is being considered in the house. and i hope that we can pass that into law for a short order. we call up that particular bill.

let me just say, senator whiten. do you have any comments? the committee now will mark -- now walk through the mark. we also have anderson of our staff. as well -- mr. warren could you describe the main features of the proposal? senator warren: the committee is proposing to extend the african growth and opportunity act. the proposals are divided into three titles. 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 of any beneficiary country to determine whether it is making a progress in the criteria. and if not to terminate the country from agoa. the proposal will add the notice and the consultation and make technical changes to section 5 06 a. and the title generalized gsp. to december 31st. 2017. it would retroactively applied benefits. that would have in eligible for the duty free treatment as of the date and backment of the proposal. title iii is an extension of preferential duty treatment programs for haiti. thank you, mr. chairman.

senator hatch: do senators have any questions they would like to refer to mr. boren or anyone else in mark --? i recognize senator whiten for his comments -- wyden for his comments. senator wyden: i want to thank a number of our colleagues. also the gsp legislation. it is hugely important for economic growth and opportunity in our country. 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. senator hatch thank you. : any other comments? well then. do have to have a voice vote?

mr. isaacson, who has done a lot of work. senator isakson: i would like to ask that senator warner and would be added by co-sponsors . without objection. would like to thank those who worked with me. i traveled to africa. and negotiated with the african union. it is a great opportunity for the country for the trade. it is also a maturing marketplace. i am really glad that it is first of all for ten years that will send an important message to africa. we want partnership in trade for a decade. i am thinking it is good to take the previsions to be responsive and flexible.

as many of you know, senator coons and i have traveled extensively and dealt with a number of trade issues. we originally offered an amendment. i will not offer that. instead, i want to offer isaacson number two. it would change the sense of congress to require the president to conduct an out of cycle review of south africa. it is important we send the signal to those who have not been in the spirit we believe is important. to have the review take place and have people held accountable for trade policies and practices. it is a good amendment and makes a lot of sense. i appreciate mr. carper and warner in the co-sponsor ship. i want to particularly acknowledge senator kunz from delaware. i would ask for the adoption.

mr. chairman? >> i am pleased to join them in supporting this amendment. i don't know if anybody thinks about how much the value of the poultry that we export. it is about $5 billion. we sell almost no chickens to south africa. almost nothing. and the value of the legislation we are working on today is not so much to on up the mark toats ets to other countries but to make darn sure that those that are trying to coup our products out are not successful. i think they have come up with a good proposal here. 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.

>> let me talk about. what we are standing up for is for america, open markets. south africa is the largest beneficiary. they should be the most cooperative. >> 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 authority to keep -- hold south africa's feet to the fire. >> i also support the legislation. senator isakson's amendment. i filed amendments which deal

with capacity building. this is an issue we are working on the foreign relations committee in addition to the finance committee. both committees are interested in strengthening the next round to make sure the countries build adequate capacity to take advantage long-term of the economic growth afforded by a goa. i mention that because i am not going to offer those -- it is not clear. i wanted to complement the chairman on the bill he has brought forward and urge us to adopt the isakson amendment. >> any other comments or amendments? >> thank you very much. i strongly support the legislation in front of us. i would offer an amendment. i am pleased to have senator isakson joining me.

senator cantwell as well. last august, i had the privilege of meeting -- i'm strongly in support of the amendment as well. voice phot is fine. -- vote is fine. >> 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

get loans, not allowed to have an inheritance laws that allow them to 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 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 making progress is an important part of this legislation. i would ask support from our colleagues. this is an important part of growing the economy's 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. i very much appreciate the senator offering this important amendment. it highlights how critical the role of women we will be with respect. 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 leadership 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. >> we will do this by voice. all those who oppose will say no. ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. we are turning to you. >> thank you, mr. chairman. amendment number one. 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. the worst limitation among these is the tariff rate quota that severely limits sugar imports

from foreign countries. because of these quotas us sugar , prices are consistently higher, often much higher than the world average. just yesterday sugar trading in the world market was trading at $0.13 per pound. sugar trading domestically traded at $0.25 per pound. almost two times the world price. these prices are hurting our country. they are cleveland to a 3 billion dollar annual tax on american families who have to pay higher isis for the food they consume. the us department of commerce, this is amazing, the us department of commerce found and policy 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, manufacturers, and the economies of the world's most economically vulnerable nations. >> i think my friend. i appreciate his work but i will have to oppose this amendment. the generalized system of preferences is critical. as they develop their economies. the program equates to a a tax break. that is why i have been 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 sugar industry represents a lot of economic value for some of the countries benefiting under the program.

i am happy to work with any senator on the community to study this issue more closely and try to resolve it. at this time without fully , understanding the economic results, i have to oppose. anybody else have comments? >> i do appreciate the concerns of my calling. i know he has been interested in this issue for a number of years. the point i would like to make is similar to that of the chairman. this would 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. i will make the same request for any amendment that all's within the responsibility of the committee. i would tell the gentleman from pennsylvania who has my eminent

respect, you will find all members of the committee are friendly open, open-minded welcoming of involvement, but the finance committee is that the proper place to write agriculture policy. i would hope my colleague w ould withdrawal the amendment. flex any body else? >> i support the chairman and my partner on the agricultural committee. this is the jurisdiction of the committee. we allowed members to allow us to deal with this. thank you. >> anybody else? >> i also respect my colleague 's argument over jurisdiction but i would like to send a strong message. senator coates strongly supports

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 this someone egregious subsidy. >> i welcome the distinguished senator from indiana's comments. >> let me just say i acknowledge. it is germane to this legislation. it deals with the generalized system of preferences which is what we are taking up. i'm going to ask for the a's and the nays. >> i had to ask for recognition. there are a lot more complications. actually the countries produced 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 38 developing countries that have long enjoyed duty-free access to the u.s. market and prices. 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. clerk: mr. grassley. mr. roberts. mr. corning. no bright -- by proxy. mr. isaacson. mr. toomey.

mr. coates aye. mr. scott. mr. wyden. no. missed cantwell -- ms. cantwell. mr. menendez. aye. >> no instruction. clerk: mr. brown. no by proxy. mr. warner. aye by proxy. mr. warner is aye by proxy.

mr. chairman. german votes no -- mr. german votes no. the amendment is not agreed to. senator nelson, you are next. senator nelson: you said you would prefer me to offer the amendment to the customs bill. is that correct? i have filed it to both goa and the customs bill. your choice.

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 bahrain is living up to its labor commitment. i think that is a reasonable compromise. 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. it is 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 there, that business is going to fold in that little town and lose 300 jobs. that is my plea, 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 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

it probably used to be 3 million in north carolina command we have a textile industry that hangs on the ledge . we extend this and that. we allow the rain to compete -- bahrain to compete. not north carolina. not places with a history of textiles. trade is about making it fair. the president you set, what you say to the industry don't make an investment. go somewhere where it is cheaper. somewhere where you can buy cotton cheaper. that affects the agribusiness.

we've gotten to be experts in transforming a mill. we have lost so many companies in our state. i would just as soon fight for the ones that are left and fight for the opportunity -- and you don't do that by extending preference levels. i would encourage a no view. >> i cannot support this amendment. these levels were negotiated as part of a free trade agreement. concessions were made on both sides. that is the nature of negotiation. it is important the u.s. and

trading partners on our commitments. i understand there are concerns surrounding bahrain's compliance. we should not reward countries that do not take these commitments seriously. many of my colleagues might agree with it. they will require significant amounts of revenue. we need to reserve the offsets. i would urge my colleagues to vote no. are there any other comments

from the sinister from maryland? >> 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 our domestic industries. 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. do it on one of these bills. the navy's fit fleet is there. you know the trouble 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. we are not in 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 in other 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. >> does the senator desire a recorded vote? the clerk will call the roll. clerk: mr. thune. no. mr. isaacson. no. mr. toomey. aye. mr. coates. no.

mr. wyden. ms. cantwell. aye,. mr. nelson. aye. mr. gerber, no by proxy. mr. brown. no. mr. bennett. aye. chairman votes no. >> the clerk will report the vote. the amendment is defeated. >> i have an amendment with regards to nicaragua.

you think will have better 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 up, we're making a policy by neglect. this is an issue important are to our committee. i would hope we would have an opportunity as another point to consider these issues. >> senator cardin is making a good point. i will follow-up with the chairman. it is clear there ought to be a process rather than a one off situation. your suggestion for the future is a good one.>> the comments of >> could 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 am pleased it was included. >> i would like to add my thanks to senator cantwell and to you for including this in the bill. senator hatch: if it is no further debate, i would 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? all those in favor say i. oppose no. the ayes have it. ok.

now let's move to the customs bill. let me say a word or two. modification of the trade enforcement act of 2015. >> many of the members in the committee, ensuring importers could remove goods across the u.s. border is extremely important. it is important it comply with our laws and regulations. customs and border protection is on the front lines, ensuring it is protected at the border.