Press Republican - Congresswoman Talks Trade and Commerce in Plattsburgh

News Article

By Joe LoTemplio

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is hopeful that future trade agreements can bolster regional manufacturing efforts and create more jobs.

"We need to be in the business of making things," she told a crowd at Monday's North Country Chamber of Commerce breakfast event discussing manufacturing and cross-border initiatives.

Stefanik (R-Willsboro) is spending much of August touring the 21st District she represents, which includes 12 counties from Lake Ontario in the west to Lake Champlain in the east.

She became the district's representative by winning last November's election against Democrat Aaron Woolf and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello.

Stefanik spent part of Sunday at the Clinton County Fair and on Monday also checked out the major expansion project at Plattsburgh International Airport.

TO SET GUIDELINES

At the chamber breakfast, Stefanik talked about her support of the Trade Promotion Authority, which will pave the way for President Barack Obama to negotiate a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement with Japan and 10 other Asian markets.

She said approving TPA will establish the process for a final trade agreement to be reached and will provide the public with the opportunity to review the final deal before it is voted on.

"We need to make sure that the TPP final language protects consumers," Stefanik said.

"It needs to be a priority. An important part of the TPA conversation is to set those guidelines for the TPP negotiation."

"But what is more important is that the public be able to view TPP for up to 60 days so we can have an opportunity to hear from constituents about whether this is a good agreement, and will it promote free and fair trade.

"That's why we passed TPA -- to set the guidelines for what our standards are in the negotiations."

'HUGE OPPORTUNITY'

Solid trade agreements would lower trade barriers and help businesses and manufacturers do business with the extensive marketplace outside our country, Stefanik said, which could lead to more jobs.

"This is a huge opportunity to increase the number of employees we have," she said.

Stefanik is hopeful that a long-term transportation bill can be reached, which would be beneficial to the companies in the district that produce transportation products, such as Nova Bus and Bombardier.

She said that there are now more members who, like herself, joined Congress after the 2014 election, running on a platform that opposed the strangling gridlock between Republicans and Democrats.

And they want to get things done.

"I am actually optimistic," she said about getting a new transportation bill.

'AVOID SEQUESTRATION'

Stefanik said she continues to work on procuring adequate funding to keep border security strong, but without hindering commerce.

"That is a huge concern," she said.

"We need a budget agreement to avoid sequestration and cuts."

She also noted that issues with the U.S.-Canada border are much different than those on the southern border with Mexico.

"The partnership we have with the Canadians in terms of information sharing is so important to our economy," she said.

"Canada is our largest trading partner and ... we ought to be celebrating that. The border security challenges we face as a country are not one size fits all. The southern border security challenges are very different."

MANHUNT

Stefanik said she was impressed with law enforcement's recent handling of the escape of two murderers from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora.

Inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat were on the run for 21 and 23 days, respectively, before authorities shot and killed Matt on June 26 and shot and captured Sweat two days later.

The congresswoman visited Dannemora about two weeks into the search to offer support and said she has reached out to the many agencies involved to thank them for their efforts.

"I think the entire community rallied," she said.

"The full community just did a tremendous job, from calling in tips to just making sure that everyone was safe."

NO PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

Stefanik said she has no preference yet among the more than 12 Republican candidates who are seeking the opportunity to run for president.

The first national debate is scheduled for Thursday.

"I've been busy representing this district, and that's what I am focused on, but I will watch the debate," she said.

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