Report Title:

Requesting the Congressional Delegation of the State of Hawaii Support Renewal of the President's Fast-Track Negotiating Authority

WHEREAS, since 1974, Presidents have used fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements that reduced foreign taxes on American exports and provide American consumers with a broad selection of goods and services at competitive prices; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has been without fast track authority since 1994; and

WHEREAS, fast-track is an important tool that allows the President to negotiate and implement agreements with other countries to lower foreign trade barriers, open markets, and rebalance trade relationships on more reciprocal terms; and

WHEREAS, under fast-track authority, trade agreements are submitted to Congress for an up or down vote under rules barring committee or floor amendments. Fast track does not give the President a blank check to negotiate trade agreements, nor does it undermine the constitutional prerogatives of Congress; and

WHEREAS, if the President cannot wield fast-track authority, no country will initiate serious trade negotiations with the United States. Fast track guarantees that trade accords negotiated in good faith with the President will not be changed later by Congress; and

WHEREAS, the free trade agreements achieved under fast-track authority have produced tangible benefits for the American economy; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, requests that our elected representatives in the United States Congress support and work to implement renewal of the President's fast-track negotiating authority; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of Hawaii's delegation to the Congress of the United States.