Walters: Free Trade Forces Competitors to 'Put up or Shut up'

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 2146, the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. H.R. 2146 passed in the U.S. House today by a vote of 218-208.

Click the picture above to see Rep. Mimi Walters speak on the House floor

Said, Rep. Mimi Walters, “I’d like to thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we have spent considerable time debating the merits of TPA in this body. I want to bring us back to the fundamentals of this debate.

“I want to talk about why trade is so important to our economy. Why trade is a conservative cause. And why trade is so vital to our nation. Simply put, free trade empowers the individual to make decisions in his best interest without undue government influence.

“Look around your house or at your car. Without question, there are imported products. Free trade allows you, as an individual, to make the best economic choice for your family. When economic enterprise is free from unnecessary government interference and all enterprise is treated equally, the most competitive actors will rise to the top.

“That means higher quality products and lower prices, which translates to improved standards of living and economic growth. Opponents of free trade will say we need protectionist measures to maintain certain industries. But that is a flawed argument.

“Protectionist measures may benefit a few in select industries, but ultimately, protectionism is more harmful to the nation’s economic health. Protected industries become inefficient.  Consumers are denied choice and American businesses face retaliatory trade measures overseas. Bottom line: protectionism is an abandonment of the free market in favor of government intervention.

“I believe that when American businesses and entrepreneurs are placed on an equal playing field - when we eliminate tariffs and protectionist barriers at home and abroad - American businesses can compete and win against any of their foreign competitors.

“The famed economist Milton Friedman said free trade ultimately forces competitors "to put up or shut up." Mr. Speaker, let us set the table for free trade.  Let us pass TPA. I know American businesses will put up. I yield back.”

Walters represents California’s 45th District and sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees.

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