Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today said she will support opening debate on granting Trade Promotion Authority to the president if three trade-related bills are included in the legislative package:

“If three trade-related bills are added to the legislative package granting the president Trade Promotion Authority, I plan to vote in favor of the motion to proceed.

“First, the package must include Trade Adjustment Assistance, a critical program that provides income support for workers displaced by international trade as well as funds to retrain them for new jobs.

“Second, the package must provide new authorities to allow for stronger enforcement of violations of our trade agreements and international trade rules. In particular, this should include new tools within the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act to prevent countries from flooding the United States with below-market-value or illegally-subsidized products.

“And third, the package must include the African Growth and Opportunity Extension and Enhancement Act, a trade preferences package for developing nations. These are important programs to promote economic development and they deserve to be brought to the floor.

“Whether or not Congress should grant the president fast-track trade authority is important, but I believe the debate shouldn’t occur in isolation from these related issues. If this larger package of bills comes before the Senate, I look forward to its consideration.”

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