Foster Votes Against Fast Track Authority

Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) voted against Fast Track trade authority.

"I have consistently stated that I would only support Fast Track if I was confident that it would net out positively for good paying jobs in my district. It is impossible to guarantee that without enforceable provisions to address currency manipulation. Creating and protecting good-paying jobs, particularly in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, requires real commitments to restrain currency manipulation by our trade partners. Unfortunately, the final legislation did not include these provisions," said Foster.

Earlier this week, Foster wrote Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi urging them to include strong, enforceable rules on currency manipulation in the TPA legislation. A copy of the letter is available here.

Foster voted for the Trade Adjustment Assistance ("TAA") legislation. TAA provides assistance to workers who have lost their jobs because of foreign trade.

"Trade Adjustment Assistance is an essential safety net for workers and is especially important when we fail to pass trade agreements with adequate measures to protect their jobs. TAA has helped 2.2 million American workers, and thousands in Illinois' 11th District, we cannot afford to lose this critical lifeline," Foster added.

This authorization will fully fund the TAA program for six years and extend benefits to service employees and call center workers. Additionally, this legislation would expand benefits to workers whose jobs are lost to any foreign country, currently, workers are only included if their jobs are lost to countries that we have a trade agreement with.

Since 2009, 2,756 people in Illinois' 11th District have benefited from TAA.