New imports for U.S. and farm housing

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the government of Japan has finalized technical requirements that will allow U.S. sheep and goat exports into the country for the first time in more than 14 years.

“This success is a direct result of USDA’s dedication to helping America’s farmers and ranchers keep and find new markets for their products,” Secretary Perdue said. “The United States has a reputation for high quality agricultural products and this Administration is committed to helping U.S. producers prosper and share these products with the world.”

This Tuesday USDA released internal guidance on changes made to farm labor housing eligibility. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 amended a section of the Housing Act of 1949. Due to this rule change, domestic farm laborers legally admitted into the country under an H-2A work visa are now eligible for this state-inspected housing.

Secretary Perdue said, “I am pleased that USDA programs can now better assist farmers needing to provide housing. I thank Congress for addressing this issue in its most recent funding bill and hope to continue the conversation on farm labor for our agriculture industry.” 

 

#No to Fast tracking trade agreements

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When the U. S. negotiates any new foreign trade agreements we are always promised that it will bring more jobs to our shores; but this has not been the case since the first trade agreement was done 30 years ago. The U. S. has entered into 15 trade agreements, partnering with 20 countries: Israel, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Singapore, and South Korea. Over the years American citizens has seen fewer jobs, lower wages, and a bigger trade deficit. This is because after a trade agreement is said and done many of our trade partners continue to levy steep tariffs on U. S. exports, and have erected other kinds of barriers against U. S. goods and services, leaving American worker plunged in to the unfair side of agreements.

Congressman Lipinski (IL-3) has pointed out that the “Administration promised that the Korea Free Trade Agreement would produce 70,000 new jobs and soaring exports, but since it was implemented in 2012 we’ve seen a loss of 60,000 American jobs and a 25% increase in the manufactured goods trade deficit.” Yet they are using the Korea agreement as a template for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. And we all know that since NAFTA and WTO. thousands of good middle class American jobs have been lost.

Stop the giving away of American jobs – call your legislator and tell them #NoTo Fast Track. This Administration has done enough to hurt our economy now is the time to stand-up and call. Congress, according to the Constitution, is suppose to write laws and set trade policies. U. S. can not afford another secret trade agreement. TPP, if fast-track, will take away policies already put in place that concern our food safety, chemicals, clean environment, financial stability and will take away Americans constitutional rights. Congress is the house of the people, they must be able to ensure the creation of American jobs, raise wages, and safeguard the consumer and environmental protections. No trade agreements should be done behind closed doors or in secret – trade agreements should be open for broader dialogue to ensure the highest fairness for the American citizens.

No deal in trade deal

Earlier this week Congressman Lipinski introduced a bill to stop the taking away of U. S. jobs once again by foreign trade agreements.  Lipinski’s bill, Truth, Transparency, Accountability, and Fairness in Trade Act, requires the Executive Branch to review and report on the operation of existing #trade agreements to determine whether American jobs and exports are being negatively impacted.  If negative impact is found, any Member of Congress would have the right to submit a “termination bill,” which would have expedited consideration and allow for the cancellation of some or all of the trade agreement causing damage.  After passage of a termination bill, any renegotiated agreement would be barred from being considered under Trade Promotion Authority (the fast-track process) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) would be required to negotiate severable trade agreements moving forward so as to allow for the cancellation of specific provisions without necessarily canceling entire agreements.
 

Any Congressional member that does not vote yes on this bill are either in on some money deal and does not care about the U. S. worker or are blind to the dishonesty that this administration has been and is involved in over their time in office.  If Obama is given full authority to fast-track #trade agreements U.S. workers would see the same results as we seen with the original NAFTA, loss of more jobs to foreign, so called guest, workers though the use of L-1 visa program – a program that allows companies to displace American workers by importing workers from low-wage countries.  Right now the trade agreements include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam; U.S. negotiators have lead us to believe that a final TPP agreement could include a special docking provision to allow for the inclusion of new member countries in future years, including Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and China.