Slaughter Says New Trade Legislation Offers Framework to Protect Environment, Worker Rights, Domestic Jobs

Washington, DC – House Rules Committee Chairman Louise Slaughter today said she will work with the administration and colleagues in Congress to make sure that future trade agreements are better than the ones submitted during the Bush Administration. Slaughter made her comments at a press conference in the Capitol with Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT),  Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH), Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL),  Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY). Slaughter is a co-sponsor of legislation that creates a new set of regulations to guide future trade agreements and has asked the White House not to submit additional trade agreements unless they reflect the concerns of progressive members of Congress.

“Too many recent free trade agreements are great for companies but no good for our workers,” Slaughter said. “My district in Upstate New York has seen a steady stream of jobs leaving our communities – leaving empty warehouses, a struggling middle class, and a depressed economy behind.  It’s time for us to change this failed trade model of the past and work towards one that is not only good for the bottom line but which also invests in America’s future.”

###

United States House of Representatives
312 The Capitol • Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-9091 phone • (202) 225-1061 fax • www.rules.house.gov