2018 IN Senate race: on Free Trade


Mike Braun: 2016: Voted against clawbacks for moving jobs to Mexico

While Braun has used his wealth to run ads criticizing politicians for putting "Mexico before Muncie" and "Beijing before Bloomington," he hasn't always been a critic of outsourcing. As a state legislator, he voted in 2016 against bipartisan "clawback" legislation that would have allowed Indiana governments to recoup financial incentives given to companies that move jobs abroad. The legislation was proposed in the wake of Carrier Corp. announcing that it was moving hundreds of jobs to Mexico.
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2018 Indiana Senate race May 1, 2018

Andrew Straw: Adjust NAFTA with 1% tariff to raise Mexican standards

Q: Would you support & expand free trade?

A: Support, so long as it results in more American jobs at higher salaries and lower costs for imports.

Q: Does NAFTA result in more American jobs at higher salaries and lower costs for imports, in your opinion?

A: I don't believe NAFTA resulted in higher American salaries, but some low-wage jobs were certainly created. It's the WalMart effect. NAFTA is a sort of constitution for North America and should be adjusted to more closely match our values. Trade flows without impediment across the 50 states and the Founders felt that this would benefit all states. Perhaps the three NAFTA nations eventually will even out. We don't know how things will be in 100 years, but maybe we can adjust NAFTA so that education and the environment are better in Mexico as a result. I would like to see a 1% tariff that would be used on Mexican schools and environmental protection.

Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Indiana Senate candidate Mar 2, 2018

Luke Messer: Free trade pacts haven't led to free trade

On fair trade: "You farmers know the difference between 'free' trade and 'fair' trade because you see it everyday," Messer said. "We need trade and it leads to prosperity but there are flaws in the way we've conducted trade policy the last few decades." Many of the agreements in place haven't been enforced, which has left many foreign markets closed to U.S. goods, he explained. Some of the most protectionist policies around the world are ag policies.
Source: Connersville News Examiner on 2018 Indiana Senatorial race Mar 13, 2016

Todd Rokita: Supports international free trade agreements

Rokita helped lead passage of important trade legislation, which paves the way for international free trade agreements that will create higher-paying jobs, yield faster economic growth, and solidify U.S. economic leadership. Rokita made the following statement following passage of the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act:

"This legislation is about doing what is good for Indiana and America. International trade supports nearly 800,000 jobs in Indiana--more than one in five. With 96 percent of necessary guardrails to restrain Presidential authority & retain Congressional oversight. This isn't a 'fast track' bill; quite the opposite. It's slow track."

The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 passed the House by a vote of 218-208.

Source: 2015 press release for 2018 Indiana Senatorial race Jun 18, 2015

  • The above quotations are from 2018 Indiana Senate race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Free Trade.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Joe Donnelly on Free Trade.
Candidates and political leaders on Free Trade:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018