The U.S. Conference Of Mayors Issues Statement In Support Of Trade Adjustment Assistance

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Jun 11, 2015, 05:25 ET

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran today issued the following statement in support of the Trade Adjustment Assistance reauthorization now before the U.S. House of Representatives:

"The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports the reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and encourages the House of Representatives to adopt such legislation.

Without Congressional action the TAA will expire this fiscal year. Passing this package now is the best opportunity to keep this important program in place for the American worker.

"TAA has long been a safeguard for workers who have been impacted by trade. The proposed legislation provides retraining and other resources to help dislocated workers transition to other jobs. Since its inception in 1974, TAA has assisted over 2.2 million workers.

"The proposed reauthorization would also provide eligibility for benefits not only to manufacturing, but also to service workers. As our economy dramatically grows in the 'services' sector, we believe this extension is warranted and protective of the American worker. Benefits would also be extended to workers affected by trade with non-foreign trade agreement (FTA) countries.

"We therefore call on the House to pass TAA reauthorization with these important modifications that reflect the current American workforce."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

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SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors