Continues Work to Promote Economic Growth in Northeastern and Central PA

"In 1993, I voted against NAFTA because I was concerned about the effect on low-tech, labor-intensive jobs such as those in the textile industry. I was also concerned about the failure to address the disproportionate impact that increased trade has on regions like Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania that have a higher-than-average share of those jobs compared to the rest of the nation," Congressman Kanjorski said. "Earlier this month, I voted against expanding trade with the Caribbean and African nations on the same grounds."

"I have listened to all voices and all sides on the China trade bill, but it is the concerns of the working people I represent who have moved me the most. Just last week, for example, two women who earn their living in the textile industry came over to me while I was eating breakfast in Aunt Sarah’s restaurant in Wilkes-Barre, and with earnestness in their voices, they asked me to vote against the China trade bill to protect their livelihoods."

"Although I realize that their jobs are no safer if this bill fails, I cannot assure them that sufficient protections are in place to preserve their economic security. We must promote economic growth that will benefit both current workers and future generations in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. I have been working hard for months now on legislation which would use federal tax credits and loan guarantees to spur a massive amount of new private investment and create good-paying jobs in economically distressed areas such as ours. This would provide a solid foundation for the future of our area and other areas where the impact from trade is already more negative than positive."

"I was very pleased that President Clinton and the Speaker of the House reached a final agreement this week on this legislation, known as the New Markets Initiative. However, none of that initiative was presented to the House of Representatives today. I am encouraged by the bipartisan agreement on this economic development package. President Clinton has been a leader in the effort to ensure that all Americans share in our unprecedented economic prosperity, and now I hope that the Republican majorities in the House and Senate will join the President and Democrats in Congress to pass the New Markets package this year."

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