Why I voted for Trade Promotional Authority: U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson

Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation by a 218-208 vote to grant the administration Trade Promotion Authority. Despite misinformation that has circulated, this bill is not a free-trade agreement, nor does it abdicate any powers to the executive. Rather, Trade Promotion Authority is a prescription from the legislature on how to appropriately conduct negotiations over pending trade agreements.

Trade Promotion Authority is not a new concept and has been utilized by both Republican- and Democratic-controlled Congresses and administrations for decades. The bill would allow Senate-confirmed trade negotiators to hash out the intricate details of pending agreements.

This legislation carries unprecedented oversight capabilities for Congress, which promote transparency, as we look to expand the ability of the United States to access new export markets. America represents only a portion of the global consumer market, and breaking down trade barriers will ensure our businesses can expand sales and services.

While many talking heads have taken to print and the airwaves, disparaging President Barack Obama and sensationalizing the topic, there is simply nothing expedient about this bill, which has been inappropriately nicknamed "fast track." To the contrary, negotiations will be a painstaking process, with Congress retaining an appropriate oversight role, including unfettered access to trade negotiators. In addition, the administration will be required to post the text of any trade agreement online for 60 days before an agreement. Following that period, any pending agreement will be further subject to a congressional vote of approval -- or disapproval. We simply cannot in good faith differentiate between a good deal and a bad deal if the negotiators never reach the table.

As the co-chairman of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I believe education and training for students and workers in the increasingly competitive global market is of the utmost importance. Robust opportunities for training will be among the largest contingencies necessary for my support of any pending trade agreement. If we make it here and sell it there, we will grow our economy.

In Pennsylvania alone, more than 1.6 million jobs are dependent upon trade. This is why Republicans and Democrats alike believe trade agreements are necessary for the commonwealth to remain competitive into the 21st century. If we fail to engage in emerging markets, we limit the possibilities of our economic power, yielding to regimes that do not necessarily embrace our American values. An unseen value of trade, more often than not, is that it also lends to peace. Countries with strong economic ties seldom find themselves in military conflicts. In an increasingly dangerous world, the United States certainly does not belong on the sidelines when it comes to engaging the rest of the world.

When America competes, we win. When trade occurs, more than just products are exported. We also share innovation and our vision of a better future. This is an opportune time for America to put aside the political banter and define our role in the world for decades to come. We should not waste the occasion.

U.S. REP. GLENN THOMPSON, R-Howard Township, represents the 5th Congressional District.

Click here for the link to the op-ed in the Erie Times.