Winchester Plant Closure a Local Symbol of Bush Administration's Failed Trade Policies

Winchester Plant Closure a Local Symbol of Bush Administration's Failed Trade Policies

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today issued the following statement on the AFL-CIO rally held today at the Winchester Plant of the U.S. Repeating Arms Company. In January, the plant closed after 140 years in New Haven due in part to a flood of imports from countries with unfair labor standards.

"The closure of the Winchester plant was a blow to both the generations of workers who were the backbone of the plant as well as the surrounding community. Yet the closure of this New Haven institution represents something much bigger - it is a symbol of the Bush administration's failed trade policies and its impact on families right here at home.

"A manufacturing plan I have introduced calls on Congress to press the administration to get tough on countries that take advantage of our global system of free trade through currency manipulation, theft of intellectual property, reverse engineering and undervaluing of export goods. Such actions will help protect American workers and keep Connecticut manufacturers competitive in a global economy.

"Free trade should be fair trade in America, which is why I have voted against the Bush administration's misguided free trade policies and continue to work in Congress toward preserving and expanding Connecticut's manufacturing industry."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/news.html