White House Endorses Human Trafficking, Slave-Like Conditions

We have now made a complete mockery of the so-called mock mark-up process. Even when the Finance Committee acts unanimously to adopt an amendment, it has no meaning and no impact on the unamendable fast-tracked implementing bill (establishing a free-trade agreement with Oman) that is sent to the Congress.

Leaving out my amendment preventing goods made from forced labor to benefit from this trade agreement is a slap in the face to the Senate and to American workers. It is particularly appalling that the White House believes that imports made with the benefit of human trafficking, forced labor and slave-like working conditions should get special, duty-free access under bilateral trade agreements. American workers should not be forced to compete with forced labor of any kind.