Survey of 2006 House campaign websites: on Free Trade


Bruce Braley: Fight for Fair Trade laws; not NAFTA & CAFTA

Fight for Fair Trade Laws. Bruce believes that irresponsible economic policies in Washington have cost our state good-paying jobs. Unfair trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA are hurting our economy. In Congress, Bruce will fight for fair trade laws that are good for American workers.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.brucebraley.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

David Davis: Expand our markets abroad with an aggressive trade policy

I believe we must expand our markets abroad with an aggressive trade policy, because trade and job creation are inseparable. When local companies in the 1st District like Eastman Chemical expand markets abroad, our entire region benefits by the new jobs here at home, and the expanded tax base they provide to better fund our schools.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, rightforcongress.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

David Loebsack: Fair trade agreements should help open markets

It is time for fair trade agreements that help open markets abroad and guarantee labor and environmental protections in other countries. Iowa has suffered dramatically over the years as a result of Republican policies. We know that globalization has led to companies abandoning many communities in this part of the state. It is time to take stock of the effects of previous free trade agreements and place a moratorium on more such pacts that do not include the necessary labor and environmental provisions.
Source: 2006 House campaign website loebsackforcongress.org “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Dennis Kucinich: Withdraw from NAFTA and WTO

The global trade regime of NAFTA and WTO has enriched multinational corporations. But for workers, family farmers, and the environment, it has meant a global race to the bottom. Companies leave the US in search of low wages, low commodity prices, anti-union climates, and lax environmental laws. NAFTA has been used to whipsaw workers at the negotiation table, forcing wages and benefit concessions under threat of moving jobs overseas. Trade treaties must be conditioned on workers’ rights, human rights, and environmental principles. The U.S. must withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO--and replace these with bilateral fair trade agreements.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.kucinich.us Nov 7, 2006

Heath Shuler: Fair trade laws protect American jobs

We cannot continue to stand idly by while our jobs keep going overseas because our Congress refuses to enact fair trade laws that protect American jobs, American workers, and American families. As your Congressman, I will always oppose unfair trade policies that are costing our families good paying jobs -- trade policies that make it harder and harder for companies that want to stay in America to compete. And I will make certain that my vote is counted.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.heathshuler.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Jason Altmire: Oppose any trade policy that ships jobs overseas

Jason Altmire will oppose any trade policy that ships Western Pennsylvania jobs overseas. NAFTA, passed in 1993, has cost Pennsylvania thousands of jobs. In 2005, Congress passed the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which extends the failed policies of NAFTA to other Latin American nations. Altmire opposes CAFTA and will vote against any trade policy that contains inadequate protections for American workers and fails to address workers rights in all nations that are party to the agreement.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.jasonaltmire.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Joe Donnelly: Oppose CAFTA; support fair international trade

    I will:
  1. Support international trade that is fair and free, with labor and environmental standards in every agreement.
  2. Vote against trade agreements that ship good-paying jobs overseas, such as the recent trade agreements with Chile and Singapore and CAFTA.
  3. Promote increased technical training and education for our young people.
  4. Vote for the best interests of the working men and women of Northern Indiana, and not for a partisan political agenda or extreme point of view.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, donnellyforuscongress.com Nov 7, 2006

    Keith Ellison: Opposed to NAFTA and CAFTA; they cost MN jobs

    So called “free trade” deals such as NAFTA and CAFTA have encouraged the movement of manufacturing and agricultural jobs out of Minnesota to be done under sweatshop conditions in other countries. At least a quarter of the net 45,000 manufacturing jobs that Minnesota lost from 2001 to 2003 were directly attributable to trade deals such as NAFTA that do not protect workers rights or environmental standards, and thus promote the outsourcing of jobs.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.keithellison.org, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

    Mary Fallin: Fair trade means don’t fight with one arm behind our back

    I believe in free trade but I also believe that in this world economy, we must make sure trade with countries like China and other emerging economies is also fair. We live in a competitive world economy and we cannot be expected to fight with one arm tied behind our back.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.maryfallin.org, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

    Nancy Boyda: Encourage Fair Trade agreements

    America should continue to expand the global economy through new fair trade agreements, as opposed to today’s “free trade” agreements. “Free” here is meant only in the sense of “unrestricted”; these agreements do nothing to guarantee freedom to foreign workers, nor adequate compensation for their work, nor reasonable protections for their environment. [Then] Americans will stop watching their good jobs turn into exploitive jobs overseas.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, nancyforcongress.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

    Phil Hare: Race to the bottom must be stopped

    The country has lost too many jobs over the past 4 years due to unfair trade practices. Thousands of manufacturing jobs have been lost to places such as Mexico & China [which] allow companies to employ children, prevent workers the right to organize and deny health and wage protections. It is a race to the bottom and it must be stopped. If we work to increase labor standards and the standard of living in developing nations it will help to end the practice of labor exploitation.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, friendsofphilhare.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

    Tim Mahoney: Do not lowre our standards in international trade agreements

    Source: 2006 House campaign website, timmahoneyforflorida.com Nov 7, 2006

    Scott Kleeb: Expand markets abroad for specialty agricultural products

    We need to invest in expanding the markets for specialty agricultural products. We need to invest in growing the market for value-added farm products like alternative grains and branded beef, poultry and pork. We need to invest in agritourism, which taps into the growing urge among city-dwellers to reconnect with the land. These investments can keep Nebraskan farmers and ranchers competitive in the 21st Century. These investments can ensure that the promise of globalization is fulfilled here at home.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, scottkleeb.com, “Issues” Nov 1, 2006

    Charlie Wilson: So called “free trade” is not fair to Ohio workers

    So called “free trade” is not fair to Ohio workers. Our jobs are being shipped to countries where workers are paid pennies on the dollar. We must fight for fair trade agreements that protect Ohio’s working families.
    Source: 2006 House campaign website, charliewilson.com, “Issues” Sep 21, 2006

    • The above quotations are from Survey of 2006 House campaign websites.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2016 Presidential contenders on Free Trade:
      Republicans:
    Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
    Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
    Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
    Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
    Carly Fiorina(CA)
    Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
    Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
    Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
    Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
    Gov.John Kasich(OH)
    Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
    Gov.George Pataki(NY)
    Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
    Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
    Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
    Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
    Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
    Donald Trump(NY)
    Gov.Scott Walker(WI)     		Democrats:
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
    Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
    V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
    Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
    Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

    2016 Third Party Candidates:
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
    Robert Steele(L-NY)
    Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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    Page last updated: Nov 30, 2018