“Trade supports almost 12 million American jobs and more than one million jobs in Washington state. Our agriculture and food industry generates $49 billion and employs more than 160,000 people. Wheat alone accounts for more than $1 billion in production value, with 80 to 90 percent exported each year. Our aerospace industry supports nearly 140,000 jobs and exports approximately $60 billion, and our computer software and IT services industry, which supports more than 90,000 jobs, exports $16 billion. “

“Given the importance of trade to our state's economy, I have consistently supported efforts to expand market access for Washington state products. 95 percent of the world's consumers and 80 percent of the world's purchasing power reside outside the U.S. Each year, the number of foreign customers of U.S. products grows.”

“According to the World Trade Organization, there are more than 400 regional and bilateral trade agreements in effect around the world - and many more being negotiated. By comparison, the United States has only 14 free trade agreements with 20 countries. Since 2007, when Trade Promotion Authority last expired, Japan, the European Union, China and Canada have together executed over 30 trade deals. I do not want to see American companies losing market share to other countries that have trade agreements in place.”

“I firmly believe, however, that any trade agreement must ensure fair competition for domestic industries and requires trading partners to adopt labor standards and environmental protections.”

“Further, an active trade policy must be accompanied by expanded educational and job-training opportunities to better prepare our workforce, including workers displaced by trade, to meet the challenges of the global economy.”

“On April 16, 2015, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (S. 995). If enacted, this legislation would renew Trade Promotion Authority for four years, with an option for an additional three-year renewal. It also includes enforceable negotiating objectives that would require U.S. trade agreements to ensure strong labor, environmental, intellectual property standards, and, for the first time, require prospective trade partners to protect human rights. The legislation also creates a new mechanism to withdraw TPA procedures, should any trade deal fail to meet these standards.”

“This legislation was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, and was considered by the Committee on April 22, 2015. During that session, I offered several amendments which were approved by the committee, including a new measure to require employers to report occupational data to expand understanding of the labor market as international trade increases, and identify the skills in highest demand within particular industries. I also offered an amendment to significantly increase funding for the enforcement of our free trade agreements by creating a new, $30 million enforcement and capacity building fund to ensure our trading partners uphold their commitments. I was also proud to support several amendments to further protect our environment, prevent human trafficking, provide for equal pay, defend Buy American provisions, and remove investor state dispute settlement as a negotiating objective.”

The Committee also considered a reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. I am a strong supporter of Trade Adjustment Assistance, which provides income support and job training services to workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade and shifting production outside the United States. In FY 2013, an estimated 2,715 Washington workers received TAA benefits and services, including 2,198 Washington workers who participated in training. TAA helps workers access the skills training and income support they need to get back into the workforce. Please be assured that I will consider your opinions as my colleagues and I continue to discuss Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance.