Rep. Lewis Condemns Senate Republicans for Failure to Pass Omnibus Trade Act

Dec 21, 2010

Washington, DC - Congressman John Lewis, 5th District, GA, issued the following statement expressing concern over Senate Republicans lack of compassion for the American worker:


“It is a shame and a disgrace that Senate Republicans are once again holding the American worker hostage by not passing H.R. 6517, the Omnibus Trade Act of 2010 which includes the extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).  It is unconscionable that Americans have been displaced because their jobs have relocated overseas.  These same workers will also have benefits cut because of a few Senators.  House and Senate Republicans ruined the Thanksgiving Holiday by refusing to renew Unemployment Insurance unless the wealthiest of Americans, including the dead ones, continued to receive their tax cuts.  Now right before Christmas, they are doing the same thing,” said Congressman Lewis.

Recently, Congressman Lewis led 75 House Members in requesting prompt action of House and Senate leaders to extend TAA before it expires on December 31, 2010. The House responded with unanimous approval. Unfortunately, the Scrooges in the Senate have seen fit to block the much needed assistance that would benefit thousands of American workers this holiday season.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance program provides key services and assistance to workers, businesses, and farmers who have been negatively impacted by trade. When Congress updated the program in 2009, TAA was improved to include not just manufacturing, but also service-sector jobs. As a result of the bipartisan improvements to the bill, more than 4,600 Georgians have benefited from TAA and certain Metro-Atlanta service-workers many who are just beginning to reap the benefits of the new program. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that failure to move this extension will cost states more than $260 million impacting thousands of workers.

 

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