Heinrich to Boehner: Time to Act, Level the Playing Field for American Businesses

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) took aim at House Republican leadership for failing to bring a bill targeting Chinese currency manipulation to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House last year by a vote of 348 to 79.

Rep. Heinrich called on Speaker John Boehner to schedule a House vote on H.R. 639, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, in order to establish a level playing field for New Mexico's businesses. H.R. 639 has broad bipartisan support in the House with 226 cosponsors, including 61 Republicans.

"Manufacturers in New Mexico have to compete with China on an uneven playing field, costing our state good paying jobs," said Rep. Heinrich. "By manipulating its currency, China is illegally subsidizing its businesses, giving them an unfair advantage over our nation's exporters--particularly in the renewable energy sector in which New Mexico is positioned to be a leader."

This summer, Rep. Heinrich signed a discharge petition on H.Res. 310, to provide for the immediate consideration of H.R. 639, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act. A majority of signatures would bring the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act to the House Floor for a vote. Currently 175 members of Congress have signed the petition.

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