DeLauro Statement on Changes to Existing American Laws Required by TPP

WASHINGTON, DC (April 1, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s list of proposed changes to American laws required by the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“The Administration’s list of proposed changes to American laws is a real April Fools’ joke. By cramming the proposed changes onto a single page, the Administration has tried to minimize the effects, but we are not fooled.

“This official list reveals that TPP would undermine our ‘Buy American’ procurement preferences. We could no longer ensure that our tax dollars going into projects would be reinvested in buying American materials or hiring American firms. We would be required to treat products and firms from TPP-nations, including Chinese state-owned firms in Vietnam, the same as U.S. firms when granting U.S. government contracts. ‘Buy American’ helps to create middle class jobs by reinvesting American tax dollars back into the economy. At a time when we are losing manufacturing jobs to nations overseas by the thousands, and wages are stagnant or falling, we cannot shortchange the American worker.

“We can also expect many more legal challenges and changes if the TPP is implemented, just like we saw last year with the repeal of Country of Origin Labeling for meat after a trade challenge. Congress must stand up for the American worker, say ‘no’ to trade deals that put other countries first, and reject the TPP.”

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