GUTKNECHT AND MANZULLO HAVE NOT STOOD UP FOR AMERICAN JOBS

08/30/2006

ST. PAUL (8/30/06) – Congressman Gil Gutknecht and Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL) are in Owatonna today to discuss the outsourcing of American jobs to China. Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez released the following statement:

“The education of Gil Gutknecht is obviously an ongoing process. He’s spent twelve years in Congress, but not until this summer did he come to adopt a couple widely accepted truths: the situation in Iraq is dire and Minnesotans don’t want our jobs outsourced to China. Unfortunately, his voting record in Congress doesn’t support his new-found compassionate rhetoric. Gutknecht has voted for unfair trade agreements, and against helping local employers hurt by unfair foreign trade.

“Tim Walz brings expertise and a legitimate voice to this race on trade, China, and the affect of outsourcing jobs. He lived in China for two years, speaks the language and regularly returns with his students. Tim knows that without fair trade policies, we can never be able to stem the tide of jobs going overseas. And he understands that, eventually, it won’t be just the low-paying jobs that we lose to China. We need a real, long-term vision for our public schools and higher-education institutions – because without one, this country can’t compete in the global market when it comes to the biotech, science and engineering industries.”

GUTKNECHT AND MANZULLO VOTED TO SHIP US JOBS OVERSEAS

Gutknecht and Manzullo Voted for Sham China Trade Bill.  In 2005, Gutknecht and Manzullo voted for a bill that was touted as a crack down on unfair China trade policies but in practice only called for more reports, more studies, and more dialogue. In fact, the bill was brought to the House floor in a last ditch attempt to gain votes in favor of CAFTA from wavering lawmakers. The proposal was sold as a solution to China’s currency manipulation and lavish subsidies given Chinese manufacturers. Yet the currency provision, like provisions in the bill aimed at cracking down on intellectual property theft and improving the monitoring of China’s compliance with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization, would require reports but no concrete actions. The AFL-CIO noted the bill “will do little to address serious trade issues with China.” The bill passed, 255-168. [CQ Today, 7/27/05; AFL-CIO, Letter to Congress, 7/25/05; HR 3283, Vote #437, 7/27/2005; Passed 255-168; R 221-5; D 34-162; I 0-1]

Gutknecht And Manzullo Voted for Free-Trade Pact with Oman.  In 2006, Gutknecht and Manzullo voted for a bill creating a free-trade pact with Oman, a country located on the southeastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The trade agreement would require market liberalization for most U.S. goods and services in Oman, and increase U.S. market access for certain Omani sectors and industries, including textiles. Bilateral trade between the US and Oman is relatively small - about $1 billion in 2005. The 2006 US trade deficit is on track to reach $815 billion. Democrats who opposed the bill did so for a variety of reasons, including concerns about port security, Oman’s labor standards, and enforcement of existing trade agreements. Many Democrats also complained that the United State Trade Representative had only dealt with GOP leaders and ignored Democrats’ concerns. [CQ Today, 7/20/06; Leadership Document, “Oman Trade Deal: Flawed for Workers & US National Security,” 7/20/06; HR 5684, Vote #392, 7/20/2006; Passed 221-205; R 199-28; D 22-176; I 0-1]

Gutknecht and Manzullo Voted to Expand NAFTA.  [HR 2644, Vote #570, 11/4/1997; Failed 182-234; R 136-83; D 46-150; I 0-1]

Gutknecht and Manzullo Voted for a Free Trade Agreement with Chile.  In 2003, Gutknecht and Manzullo voted to create a trade agreement with Chile that would make it easier for foreign workers to be brought to the United States by multinational corporations. At a time when Americans are struggling to find work, the visa provision would allow 1,400 workers from Chile. The manufacturing industry, which represents 11 percent of the workforce, has lost 1.3 million jobs in the past two years. The Chile trade measure passed, 270-156. [CQ Weekly, 8/2/03; Washington Post, 7/25/03; Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov; Economic Policy Institute, http://www.jobwatch.org; HR 2738, Vote #436, 7/24/2003; Passed 270-156; R 195-27; D 75-128; I 0-1]

Gutknecht and Manzullo Voted For Andean Trade Deal & Presidential Fast Track Trade Authority.  In 2002, Gutknecht and Manzullo voted to provide President Bush with new trade authority and to end most tariffs on imports from Colombia and other Andean nations. That authority allows the president to negotiate international trade agreements that Congress may approve or reject but cannot change. Opponents argued the bill did not include adequate assurances that labor rights and the environment would be protected in future trade deals. The bill extended duty-free treatment for many goods from the four Andean countries of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador for another four years. The measure passed, 215-212. [New York Times, 7/28/02; Associated Press, 7/27/02; HR 3009, Vote #370, 7/26/2002; Passed 215-212; R 190-27; D 25-183; I 0-2]

GUTKNECHT AND MANZULLO VOTED AGAINST PROTECTING AMERICAN EMPLOYERS FROM OUTSOURCING

Gutknecht and Manzullo Voted To Repeal Law That Helps Local Employers Harmed By Unfair Foreign Trade.  In 2005 and 2006, Gutknecht and Manzullo voted for the conference agreement to cut mandatory spending programs by $39.7 billion over the next five years. Due to the billions of dollars in tax cuts passed separately, the budget reconciliation package would increase the deficit. The measure would repeal a provision - known as the Byrd Amendment - that redistributes customs duties to companies injured by unfair foreign trade. Since 2001, funds distributed through the program have benefited roughly 770 companies across the country that used the money to remain competitive with foreign businesses. The repeal would take effect in 2007 and was estimated to “save” roughly $300 million over five years. The measure did not touch a $5 billion HMO slush fund established by the 2003 Medicare bill, and after intense lobbying from the health insurance industry, the budget saves HMOs $22 billion dollars by maintaining Medicare reimbursement formulas that favored the industry. [House Budget Committee Minority Staff, “Key Provisions in the Conference Report on the Republican Spending Reconciliation Bill.” 12/19/05; CQ Today, 2/1/06; Washington Post, 2/1/06; HRS 653, Vote #4, 2/1/2006; Passed 216-214; R 216-13; D 0-200; I 0-1]