Feb. 27 - Array of Senior House Members, Freshmen Join in Letter to Obama: "Working Together to Deliver Your Trade Reform Agenda to the American People"

Letter Reaffirms Obama's Campaign Commitments on Trade

Posted: 2/27/2009 See the full House Trade Working Group letter, with signatures (PDF) Read selected Obama campaign statements on U.S. trade and globalization policy (PDF) "A New Day On Trade" - sign-on letter from 350+ U.S. civil society organizations supporting the TRADE Act and more (PDF) Trade as an election issue coverage at Eyes On Trade More coverage of trade as an election issue

A large bloc of House members sent President Obama a letter describing a trade reform agenda about which they are excited to work in cooperation with him. On issues ranging from renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and creating new import safety policies to remedying the failed U.S.-China trade relationship, the letter focuses largely on implementing Obama's campaign pledges to transform U.S. trade and globalization policies. (View a compilation of many of those commitments.)

The letter, which was initiated by House Trade Working Group co-chair Mike Michaud (D-ME), was signed by a prominent group of members, including 6 Committee chairs and 17 Subcommittee chairs representing 24 states from Hawaii to Maine, from Georgia to Oregon, and stretching far beyond the Rust Belt. See the press release and letter here, and the signed letter here (PDF).

With Obama's U.S. Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk's confirmation hearing on Thursday, Mar. 5, and most other trade-related positions still unfilled, the Obama administration has not yet been able to start implementation of Obama's many campaign trade reform pledges - much less formulate Obama administration positions on additional trade matters. As the Obama trade policy team is built out in the future, this four-page letter from key congressional leaders and members of diverse Democratic caucuses (Blue Dogs, New Democrats, Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, Progressive Caucus and more) can provide insights into the trade sensibilities of the Democratic House Caucus in the 111th Congress.

The letter reaffirms many of Obama's trade commitments made during the campaign.

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