PHILADELPHIA, PA — It was announced yesterday that more than a thousand good Pennsylvania jobs are finding a new home in Mexico, partly thanks to Senator Pat Toomey’s unyielding support for policies that help Wall Street and big business at the expense of the middle class. Cardone Industries, an auto parts re-manufacturer in Philadelphia will lay-off more than 1,300 workers and move its brakes business to Matamoros, Mexico. A company spokesman blamed the move on competitors “outsourcing” jobs and driving down wages.
Sadly, that’s an all-too-familiar refrain for Pennsylvanians. From 2001 to 2013, we lost 125-thousand jobs to China alone. What’s worse, Senator Toomey champions policies that encourage this trend, and callously opposes assistance for displaced workers.
“Our economy has suffered far too long because of the unfair trade policies coming out of Washington,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman Marcel L. Groen. “When senators like Pat Toomey support tax breaks for companies that move jobs abroad, he’s effectively signing the pink slip for thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians. That he then votes against assistance and job training programs for the unemployed is a twist of the knife. Toomey’s positions are at odds with what’s best for workers, and that’s because he cares more about Wall Street bankers than Pennsylvanian manufacturers.”
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BACKGROUND:
TOOMEY IS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS…
Toomey Voted For Trade Promotion Authority, Also Known As “Fast-Track,” Which Allowed Trade Agreements Negotiated By The Administration To Be Considered By Congress Under Expedited Procedures And Could Not Be Amended. In June 2015, Toomey voted for: “McConnell, R-Ky., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill that would allow public safety workers after age 50 to make penalty-free withdrawals from government retirement plans. The House amendment would grant Trade Promotion Authority, under which implementing legislation for trade agreements negotiated by the administration would be considered by Congress under expedited procedures and could not be amended.” The motion was agreed to by a 60-38 vote, sending the bill to President Obama. [CQ, 6/24/15; Vote 219, H.R. 2146, 6/24/15]
- The Hill: Trade Promotion Authority Will “Expedite” The Process By Which Congress Approves Trade Deals And “Greatly” Increasing The Chances The President Concluding Negotiations On The Trans-Pacific Partnership.” “The Senate voted Wednesday to approve fast-track authority, securing a big second-term legislative win for President Obama after a months-long struggle. […] Labor unions and liberal Democrats had fought hard against the authority and are likely to now turn their attention toward stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal Obama is negotiating with 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Fast-track, or trade promotion authority, will allow the White House to send trade deals to Congress for up-or-down votes. The Senate will not be able to filibuster them, and lawmakers will not have the power to amend them. The expedited process, which lasts until 2018 and can be extended until 2021, greatly increases Obama’s chances of concluding negotiations on the TPP, which is a top goal of the president’s.” [The Hill, 6/24/15]
Toomey Voted To Support Free Trade Deals At Least 7 Times:
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. In October 2011, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement between the United States and Colombia. The agreement would reduce most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce barriers to trade in services, increase protections for intellectual property and require Colombia to take steps to strengthen its labor and environmental enforcement standards.” The bill passed, 66-33. [CQ, 10/12/11; H.R. 3078, Vote 163, 10/12/11]
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement. In October 2011, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement between the United States and Panama. The agreement would reduce most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce barriers to trade in services, increase protections for intellectual property and require Panama to take steps to strengthen its labor and environmental enforcement standards.” The bill passed, 77-22. [CQ, 10/12/11; H.R. 3079, Vote 162, 10/12/11]
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement. In October 2011, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement between the United States and South Korea. The agreement would reduce most tariffs and duties on goods traded between the two countries, reduce barriers to trade in services, increase protections for intellectual property and reduce tariffs on U.S. autos exported to South Korea.” The bill passed, 83-15. [CQ, 10/12/11; H.R. 3080, Vote 161, 10/12/11]
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement. In July 2004, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement reducing tariffs and trade barriers between the United States and Australia. It would give all U.S. agricultural exports to Australia immediate duty-free access, phase out U.S. duties on Australian beef and lamb exports, and slightly increase the current U.S. quota for Australian dairy exports.” The bill passed by 314-109. [CQ, 7/14/04, H.R. 4759, Vote 375, 7/14/04]
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. In July 2003, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement that would reduce tariffs and trade barriers between the United States and Chile. The trade pact would reduce duties and tariffs on agricultural and textile products and open markets for services. It also would establish intellectual property safeguards and require enforcement of environmental and labor standards.” The bill passed by 270-156. [CQ, 7/24/03, H.R. 2738, Vote 436, 7/24/03]
- Toomey Voted For U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. In July 2003, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement that would reduce tariffs and trade barriers between the United States and Singapore. The agreement would eliminate tariffs on goods and duties on textiles, open markets for services, and establish intellectual property, environmental and labor standards.” The bill passed 272-155. [CQ, 7/24/03, H.R. 2739, Vote 432, 7/24/03]
- Toomey Voted For The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. In July 2004, Toomey voted for: “Passage of the bill that would implement a trade agreement that would reduce tariffs and trade barriers between the United States and Morocco. It would make more than 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products duty-free immediately, with all remaining tariffs eliminated within nine years. It also would provide for new tariff-rate quotas for U.S. farmers and ranchers of poultry and beef and would cut tariffs on agricultural products such as sorghum, corn, soybeans and corn and soybean products.” The bill passed 323-99. [CQ, 7/22/04, H.R. 4842, Vote 413, 7/22/04]
…AND OF TAX BREAKS FOR COMPANIES THAT SHIP AMERICAN JOBS OVERSEAS…
Toomey Voted Against Providing Tax Breaks For Companies That Have Provided Livable Wages And Health Care For U.S. Workers, Or Ending Tax Incentives That Encourage The Transfer Of Jobs Overseas. In March 2015, Toomey voted against: “Durbin, D-Ill., amendment no. 817 that would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund to allow for legislation that would provide tax breaks for companies that have not maintained or expanded their U.S. workforce or have provided livable wages and health care, or that would end tax incentives that encourage the transfer of jobs overseas.” The amendment was rejected 46-54. [CQ, 3/26/15; S.Con. Res. 11, Vote 104, 3/26/15]
- Durbin Amendment Would End Tax Breaks For Companies That Send U.S. Jobs Overseas And Provide Tax Incentives For Companies That Reward Companies That Invested In U.S. Workers. “U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced an amendment to the FY2016 Budget designed to provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas.’” [Office of Sen. Durbin, Press Release, 3/25/15]
Toomey Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes And Discouraging U.S. Corporations From Moving Their Operations To Other Countries. In March 2015, Toomey voted against: “Stabenow, D-Mich., amendment no. 523 that would create a deficit neutral reserve fund to allow for legislation that would revise the tax code to close tax loopholes, including those related to corporate inversion, or that would discourage U.S. corporations from moving their operations to other countries.” The amendment was rejected 46-54. [CQ, 3/26/15; S.Con.Res. 11, Vote 94, 3/26/15]
- Stabenow Amendment Would Have Prevented Companies From Getting Tax Benefits For Moving Jobs Overseas. “An amendment that would have prevented companies from getting tax benefits for moving jobs overseas and benefiting from tax inversions, and would have provided a tax credit for in-sourcing, was rejected by a 46-54 vote. This amendment (S. Amdt. 523) was offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow.” [Littler Workplace Policy Institute, Workplace Policy Update, 3/27/15]
Toomey Voted Against Advancing Bill To Give Businesses A Tax Credit For Up To 20 Percent Of The Expenses Incurred To Bring Work Done In Foreign Countries Back Into The United States. In July 2014, Toomey voted against a: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the bill that would give businesses a tax credit for up to 20 percent of the expenses incurred to bring work done in foreign countries back into the United States, if the business also increases its number of full-time employees. It also would prohibit tax deductions for expenses incurred when moving jobs outside the U.S.” The motion failed 54-42. [CQ, 7/30/14; S. 2569, Vote 249, 7/30/14]
- The Hill: “Senate Republicans Blocked A Bill That Would End Tax Breaks For Companies That Send Jobs Overseas.” “Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 54-42 to end debate on S. 2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act — 60 votes were needed to advance the measure. Sens. John Walsh (D-Mont.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the bill, which would give companies incentives to bring jobs back to the United States, including a tax write-off for the relocating costs and an additional 20 percent credit. Currently, U.S. companies can deduct from their corporate taxes some expenses of moving facilities overseas. Democrats said 2.4 million jobs have been outsourced in the past 10 years.” [The Hill, 7/30/14]
- Headline: “Senate Republicans Block Bill To End Tax Breaks For Outsourcing.” [The Hill, 7/30/14]
Toomey Voted Against Advancing Bill To Provide Tax Credit To Cover The Cost Of Shifting Overseas Jobs Back To The United States And Eliminate Tax Credits For Expenses Related To Moving Operations Abroad. In July 2012, Toomey voted against a: “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would provide a 20 percent business tax credit to cover the cost of shifting overseas jobs back to the United States and eliminate tax credits for expenses related to moving operations abroad.” The motion failed 56-42. [CQ, 7/19/12; S. 3364, Vote 181, 7/19/12]
- Bring Jobs Home Act Would Create A New Tax Credit For Companies To Bring Overseas Jobs Back To The U.S. And Eliminate A Tax Credit For Companies That Spend Money To Move Jobs Overseas. “The Bring Jobs Home Act would have created a new tax credit for companies that spend money to bring overseas jobs back to the United States, and eliminate a tax credit for companies that spend money to move jobs overseas. Under current law, companies can deduct the cost of moving people and equipment overseas from their taxes. S. 3364 would have eliminated that deduction, and created a new 20 percent tax credit for all costs associated with moving overseas jobs back to America.” [The Hill, 7/19/12]
- Headline: “GOP Senators Block Dem ‘Insourcing’ Bill” [The Hill, 7/19/12]
…DESPITE THE FACT THAT PENNSYLVANIA HAS LOST THE 5TH MOST JOBS TO CHINA
Pennsylvania Had Lost Nearly 125,000 Jobs To China Between 2001 And 2013, The 5th Most In The Country. “The 3.2 million U.S. jobs lost or displaced by the goods trade deficit with China between 2001 and 2013 were distributed among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the biggest net losses occurring in California (564,200 jobs), Texas (304,700), New York (179,200), Illinois (132,500), Pennsylvania (122,600), North Carolina (119,600), Florida (115,700), Ohio (106,400), Massachusetts (97,200), and Georgia (93,700).” [Economic Policy Institute, 12/11/14]
WHILE TOOMEY SUPPORTS FREE TRADE AND OUTSOURCING TAX BREAKS, HE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST ASSISTANCE FOR OUTSOURCED WORKERS…
Toomey Voted For Amendment Eliminating Trade Adjustment Assistance For Certain Companies Impacted By Foreign Competition. In 2011, Toomey voted for: “McCain, R-Ariz., amendment no. 740 to the Inouye, D-Hawaii, substitute amendment no. 738. The McCain amendment would eliminate funds for a program that makes Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) available to certain companies impacted by foreign competition. The substitute would provide about $128 billion in discretionary funds for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and for science programs and other related programs in fiscal 2012.” The amendment failed, 44-55. [CQ, 10/18/11; S.Amdt. 740 to S.Amdt. 738 to H.R. 2112, Vote 168, 10/18/11]
- Amendment Eliminated Federal Aid For Companies Aiming To Be More Competitive To Overseas Companies. “The Senate voted 44-55 Tuesdayevening against an amendment from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) that would have ended federal aid aimed at helping companies become more competitive compared to overseas companies. McCain’s amendment was to a Senate spending bill for 2012 that could be approved by the end of this week.” [The Hill,10/18/11]
Toomey Voted Against Extending Expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance For Certain U.S. Workers Who Lost Their Jobs Because Of Foreign Competition.In 2011, Toomey voted against: “Passage of the bill that would revive expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits for certain U.S. workers who lose their jobs because of increased foreign competition. The increased benefits, which include additional job retraining, were contained in the 2009 economic stimulus law. The bill also would revive the Generalized System of Preferences, an expired trade preference program for products from 132 developing nations.” The bill passed, 70-27. [CQ,9/22/11; H.R. 2832, Vote 150, 9/22/11]
Toomey Voted For Amendment Repealing Trade Adjustment Assistance For Certain Companies Impacted By Foreign Competition. In 2011, Toomey voted for: “Kyl, R-Ariz., amendment no. 645 to Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 633. The Kyl amendment would terminate, effective Oct. 1, a program that makes Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) available to certain companies impacted by foreign competition. The Casey amendment would revive an expansion of TAA benefits for unemployed workers provided in the 2009 economic stimulus law.” The amendment failed, 43-54. [CQ, 9/21/11; S.Amdt. 645 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, Vote 145, 9/21/11]
Toomey Voted For Amendment Narrowing Eligibility For Trade Adjustment Assistance. In 2011, Toomey voted for: “Hatch, R-Utah, amendment no. 642 to Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 633. The Hatch amendment would narrow the eligibility criteria for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). The Casey amendment would revive an expansion of TAA benefits for unemployed workers provided in the 2009 economic stimulus law.” The amendment failed, 40-57. [CQ, 9/21/11; S.Amdt. 642 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, Vote 144, 9/21/11]
Toomey Voted For Amendment Reducing Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits To Pre-2009-Stimulus Levels. In 2011, Toomey voted for: “McCain, R-Ariz., amendment no. 625 to Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 633. The McCain amendment would reduce the level of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits to rates prior to the enactment of the 2009 economic stimulus law. The Casey amendment would revive an expansion of TAA benefits for unemployed workers provided in the 2009 economic stimulus law.” The amendment failed, 46-53. [CQ, 9/21/11; S.Amdt. 625 to S.Amdt. 633 to H.R. 2832, Vote 143, 9/21/11]
…AND VOTED FOR A SPENDING PLAN THAT WOULD HAVE CUT OFF JOB TRAINING FOR NEARLY 7,000 PENNSYLVANIA WORKERS WHOSE JOBS HAD BEEN DISPLACED
Toomey Voted For Republican Continuing Appropriations Bill. In March 2011, Toomey voted for: “passage of the bill that would provide continuing appropriations through fiscal 2011 for all government agencies, except the Defense Department, which would receive $515.8 billion in base funding. Most other programs would be funded at fiscal 2010 levels, less eliminations, reductions and rescissions totaling roughly $61.5 billion. The bill does not include earmarks and eliminates all previous fiscal 2010 earmark funding from continuing appropriations. The bill would eliminate funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alternative engine program and prohibit any funding from being made available to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. It also would bar the use of funds made available in the bill for a variety of executive branch regulatory activities and implementation of several provisions of the health care overhaul law.” The bill failed, 44-56. [CQ, 3/9/11, H.R.1, Vote 36, 3/9/11]
- The Bill Would Have Cut Job Training Funding In Pennsylvania By Nearly $50 Million, Cutting Off Job Training For More Than 30,000 Pennsylvania Workers And For 6,900 Workers Whose Jobs Had Been Displaced. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “Workforce Investment Act (WIA) formula grants provide funds for states to provide job training, job search, and other employment assistance for low-income adults and workers whose jobs have been eliminated. […] The House bill would reduce combined annual funding for these programs by over $2 billion, a cut of 52 percent. Some $1.4 billion of this cut would come from sharply reducing funds available for WIA formula grants to states for Adult and Youth Training Services and the Dislocated Worker Program. Those cuts could mean reductions of about 1.2 million people in the number served through the Adult Services program, a reduction of 314,000 dislocated workers served in the programs for those individuals, and a reduction of 254,000 in the number served through the Youth Services program (see Appendix for state figures).” Under H.R. 1, WIA grants to Pennsylvania would be cut by $47.7 million, 30,100,200 WIA adult services participants would be cut, and 6,900 WIA dislocated workers participants would be cut. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/1/11]