We are talking about expanded trade with countries that have no significant capacity to impact American imports of textiles. I believe that this bill is needed. I think it is a step in the right direction. Given the transportation costs from Africa and its use of longer strand cotton and the production of different types of textiles, which would be relatively new to the American market, I believe that the provision in the Senate bill for all practical purposes kills the African Trade bill. I hope it will be dropped in conference.
Trade is vitally important.
It is an amazing thing to me that due to ignorance and prejudice we continue to restrict the importation of goods and services into America. Why we should give government the ability to impose a tax on working Americans and deny them the ability to purchase better and cheaper goods if they are produced abroad, I don't know. This bill is the right thing to do, and I hope that it will become the law of the land this year.