In this time of economic recession, I feel that we have responsibility to the American worker and the workers around the globe to ensure that American labor standards are enforced globally.  It is unacceptable that American jobs are being shipped overseas to countries that refuse to pass or enforce minimal labor protections.

As many of us can remember all too well, Fast Track Trade Authority was last used to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993.  While the Administration claims that NAFTA is a resounding success, I contend that this is far from the truth.

It is estimated that NAFTA has cost nearly 1 million U.S. manufacturing jobs and tens of thousands of family owned farms to go out of business.  In my home state of New Jersey, alone, it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Labor that more than 20,000 jobs were directly lost due to NAFTA's scope. 
 
NAFTA has also been a disaster in the area of environment protection and public health.  Since passage, pollution also in the U.S. Mexico border has created worsening environmental and public health threats in the area.  Along the border, the occurrence of some environmental diseases, including hepatitis, is two or three times the national average, due to lack of sewage treatment and safe drinking water.
 
This is unacceptable.  In my mind, no matter what this Administration promises, Fast Track only causes the quality of life in America to be compromised.  
 
My friends -- I say, fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  I urge my colleagues -- don't be fooled again.  We have already allowed the word of past Administrations cost thousands of American jobs and further destroy our environment.  Let's not make the same mistake again.  
 
Vote "NO" on Fast Track.