The following article is a Press Release  from the John Plumb for Congress campaign.

 

 Reed’s flip-flops on trade is only for his own political survival 

 Jamestown, NY –Congressman Tom Reed is desperately trying to cover up his tracks on supporting past disastrous trade deals, including the current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), that have put thousands of jobs and rural working families at risk.

In a letter signed yesterday by Reed, he admits that the current job-killing TPP deal would “harm working and middle-class families in New York. The group said that past trade agreements have already cost the state manufacturing jobs.” That wasn’t always the case for Reed.

Look no further than his record of supporting past job-killing trade deals that have led to jobs being sent overseas and gutting the region’s economy. Just last year, Reed supported fast-tracking the job-killing TPP trade deal through Congress without input from his colleagues, a move that would help ensure its passage.

“Anyone who votes against working families time and time again like Congressman Reed is simply against our working families.  All of Reed’s maneuvering cannot erase the fact that he has helped push through job-killing trade bills in Congress over and over, including the fast track of the Trans-Pacific Partnership last year,” said John Plumb; Naval Reserve Commander, fourth-generation Western New Yorker and candidate for Congress.  “If today proves anything, it shows once again that Reed says one thing in our region but does the other in Washington.”

Congressman Reed’s opponent, Naval Reserve Commander and fourth-generation Western New Yorker John Plumb has been critical of the trade deal since announcing his bid last July to unseat the Congressman.

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Background

Reed was the only Member of Congress from Western New York to support the TPP and its fastracking. “That left Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, a member of the Ways and Means Committee that will draft the fast-track bill, as its only supporter in the Western New York congressional delegation. ‘I have heard from our neighbors and friends on the issue of free trade many times during the numerous town halls we have held across the district,’ Reed said. ‘Most recognize that a vast majority of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S., and trade agreements must be fair to ensure a level playing field to access those consumers. This would also promote job creation here at home.'”[Buffalo News, 2/19/15]

Reed Voted To Implement The Colombia Trade Agreement. In 2011, Reed voted to implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. The agreement “reduce[d] most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce[d] barriers to trade in services, increase[d] protections for intellectual property and require[d] Colombia to take steps to strengthen its labor and environmental enforcement standards.” Critics of the trade agreement said it failed to crack down on violence against union activists. The bill passed 262-167.

[CQ Floor Votes, 10/12/11; USA Today, 10/13/11; HR 3078, Vote #781, 10/12/11]

Reed Voted To Implement The Panama Trade Agreement. In 2011, Reed voted to implement the Panama Trade Agreement.The bill implemented the Panama Trade Agreement which “reduce[d] most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce[d] barriers to trade in services, increase[d] protections for intellectual property and require[d] Panama to take steps to strengthen its labor and environmental enforcement standards.” Critics of the trade agreement said it would take away legal tools used to fight tax evasion and money laundering.   The bill passed 300-129. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/12/11; USA Today, 10/13/11; HR 3079, Vote #782, 10/12/11]

 Reed Voted To Implement The South Korea Trade Agreement. In 2011, Reed voted to implement the South Korea Trade Agreement.The bill implemented the South Korea Trade Agreement which “reduce[d] most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce[d] barriers to trade in services, increase[d] protections for intellectual property and reduce[d] tariffs on U.S. autos exported to South Korea.” Critics of the trade agreement said there were no guarantees the deal with South Korea would boost U.S. auto exports. The bill passed 278-151. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/12/11; USA Today, 10/13/11; CQ Floor Votes, 10/12/11; HR 3080, Vote #783, 10/12/11]