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Laboring to keep jobs in Maine
By Michael Michaud


WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sep 4, 2005): While Labor Day gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to our dedicated workers throughout our state and across the nation, it also reminds us that too many Mainers are victims of an economy that is struggling.

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In the past few years, we have all watched too many industries close their doors and ship production overseas. Our economy has been a victim of unfair trade practices for far too long, and this Labor Day we must renew our commitment to keep these jobs right where they belong -- right here in the State of Maine.

This week, in honor of our workforce, I will be reintroducing two measures to help reconcile these trade disparities and to protect our American workers.

This summer, trade issues came again to the forefront of our national news with the narrow passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. In late July, CAFTA passed by just a two-vote margin -- and that was after the vote was held open for over an hour.

Democrats and Republicans alike voted no. Rural and urban Members alike voted no. Labor and business supporters alike voted no. But arm-twisting and political bribery were used by House leadership to force through this badly negotiated trade deal.

In Maine, we know all too well how devastating these trade agreements have been to our industries. In the wake of NAFTA, Maine has lost 23 percent of our manufacturing base in the last four years alone. Unemployment in certain areas has reached as high as 30 percent. CAFTA takes most of its language right from NAFTA. It only promises more job loss. Immediately after the CAFTA vote, I introduced the Fair Trade for All Act of 2005, legislation to withdraw from The Central American Free Trade Agreement.

However, the fact is, a lot of the problems in these agreements are there because of "Trade Promotion Authority" or "Fast Track." Fast track allows the President and the US Trade representative to negotiate a trade deal and force it on Congress for a straight up-or-down vote with no ability to amend the deal, offer advice, or fix problems.

The American people have no say in determining the future of their own jobs and economy because the people they elect to represent them in Congress get shut out of the process. If their voices could be heard in crafting these agreements, we would see very different deals being struck. CAFTA is a clear example. So I am proud to announce that this week I will be reintroducing my bill to repeal Trade Promotion Authority.

It is time for Americans to have a say in what goes into these deals. It is time for us to be able to hold our trade negotiators accountable -- to ask what happens to our jobs, what happens to our health-care coverage and what happens to Maine.

In addition, Maine faces a particular problem with the "personal exemption allowance." Small business owners in places like Madawaska and Frenchville are losing money because of this rule, which allows Americans to buy large quantities of goods in Canada and bring them back duty free but allows Canadians to buy much less over here.

This biased system puts many of Maine's small businesses at a tremendous disadvantage. To fight this problem, I have introduced a resolution in Congress demanding the Treasury Department give us parity in the Personal Exemption laws.

We who believe in making sure that trade is fair came up just short with CAFTA, but make no mistake -- we are making a real difference. NAFTA passed in 1994 with a comfortable margin of 34 votes. CAFTA passed with only 2, and only after House leadership twisted arms for an hour. Change does not happen overnight, but real change is in fact happening in the Congress.

My bills to fix fast track and the personal exemption allowance may not provide all the answers, but they are a good starting point. It's time we got off the fast track of lost jobs and shattered dreams and onto the right track of fair trade with more opportunities for our workers.

I promise to continue to fight for our jobs when it comes to trade. Our workers and their families deserve no less.