Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) today joined with Republican leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jim McCrery of Louisiana and Wally Herger of California, in urging Congress to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).  Trade Promotion Authority enables the President to negotiate trade agreements to remove barriers American companies face competing overseas, and submit the agreements for consideration by Congress.  The five year authority expires June 30.

TPA keeps American companies competitive.

“Nearly everyone can sell into the United States but we find too many countries reluctant to allow American farmers, companies and professionals to compete in their markets for new customers,” said Brady.  “Trade Promotion Authority helps level the playing field and is critical if America is to remain the world’s top economy.

“Our global competitors get it.  They are negotiating nearly 100 trade agreements even as Congress allows Trade Promotion Authority to expire, which is a huge mistake. The United States can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and watch as others gain advantages over American businesses and workers.”

TPA supports good-paying American jobs.

Noting that 80 percent of America’s trade deficit is with nations we don’t have a trade agreement with, Brady says the seventeen countries the United States has completed trade agreements with in the past few years have worked to America’s benefit.

“Although these countries only represent seven percent of the world market, they are buying nearly half of all the products and services the United States sells overseas. We are running over a $5 billion surplus with these partners,” says Brady.  “And for the first time in many years the growth in what we are selling overseas is greater than what we are buying from foreign countries.  We need to keep that trend going.”

A successful World Trade Organization agreement – which will open new markets around the world for American companies – has the potential of adding billions of dollars to our nation’s economy.

“This is a jobs issue for Texas, which is the largest exporting state in the nation. Trade supports half a million manufacturing jobs in Texas alone, one of every four computer jobs and one of every three acres planted,” notes Brady.  “Our farmers and companies have increased sales overseas by a third in just the past few years, which is creating good paying jobs.  Texas businesses sold over $31 billion in services abroad last year.   We need our President out there giving us a chance to compete.”

TPA raises incomes of American families.

“Families benefit as well from these agreements,” said Congressman Brady, “with more choices and better prices when they shop. Today, the average Texas family can go to the grocery store once a month for free on the savings from lower cost clothes, food, electronics and automobiles, for example.

“Trade Promotion Authority is working for American families and workers, and we would be foolish to allow the rest of the world to tilt further against our farmers and companies.  So I am pleased to join my colleagues on the Committee today in urging Congress to recognize the economic importance of this critical piece of legislation, and work to renew TPA as soon as possible.”

Congressman Brady is a Member of the Trade sub-Committee of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.  One of the top leaders on trade issues in Congress, he successfully led a three-year long fight for approval of the Dominican Republican-Central American Free Trade Agreement.