WASHINGTON – Saying trade-related issues have cost the US nearly 200,000 jobs this year, Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) plan to reintroduce the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment Act.
 
S. 125, also known as the TRADE Act, would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive review of existing trade agreements with an emphasis on economic results, enforcement and compliance, and an analysis of non-tariff provisions in trade agreements; establish standards for labor and environmental protections, food and product safety, national security exceptions and remedies that must be included in new trade pacts.
 
It also would set requirements on public services, farm policy, investment, government procurement and affordable medicines that have been incorporated in trade agreements; require the president to create a plan to renegotiate current trade pacts prior to negotiating new agreements or congressional consideration of pending agreements, and restore congressional oversight of trade agreements.