(WASHINGTON) – The following is the official statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announcing he will not allow the chamber to quickly push fast track trade legislation through when it has a time-sensitive transportation funding bill on its plate that needs to be dealt with by the end of May.

“Sen. Reid knows what America’s priorities should be. This Congress needs to figure out how to properly fund the nation’s transportation network in the next few weeks, and shouldn’t be wasting its time on a fast track bill that has no set deadline. Rebuilding, maintaining and reinvesting in this country’s infrastructure will actually put Americans to work, unlike the trade deals that fast track would facilitate. 

“The U.S. is facing significant hurdles in its future. Bridges and roads are deteriorating, but the government isn’t focused on this issue even though it could improve safety and ease the commutes of millions of people in this country. Instead, some lawmakers want to help big business ram through trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership that will send thousands of American jobs overseas.

“The Teamsters thank Sen. Reid for taking a stand for hardworking Americans trying to go to work and put food on the table instead of the corporate elites.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via email