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158702020
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Hill Meetings/Briefings [Fast Track]
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158702020
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Hill Meetings/Briefings [Fast Track]
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Records of the Office of Policy Development (Clinton Administration)
Eric Biel's Files
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FOIA Number: 2017-0401-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Policy Development
Series/Staff Member:
Eric Biel
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
10601
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Hill Meetings/Briefings [Fast Track]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
100
1
5
3
Meeting / Sen COMME Carte 9/25/97 staff
(gef list of attendees)
Tim Houser DCM/S.
Qs AC can wather
only SFC/WOM even if not
their
wtat more
(commce, crub. CACN. R
& Tue. re
telecomm, etc - why whole
Close specifically correct
focus on SFC there
Tommae cure
Q rc PA2 "grandlathe" provens-
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need to clarify that
Roms on Commee. Carle. CONSAD-
telesonerr, aviation, etc
Dropping Negat. abject a Cert. acct.
samples monet. Bolicy-why?
Defer to Rabin/DoT- -
don't Guy it/ inextrcally linked"
'glang OMBSION" to drap for bill
-
labor "CAVIT- what's Negstable there
as devt. of Charmas mark?
NOVICE response -not cahobiting. outhi/
agda whatever tods 6 tacties
what if 1988 Act
-Menth wer Rfs there/
Environment postalater that
"Dirath relax to trade" meaning
(Mark A) telsen ON that
is in E what 15K7 here
-des COMA
true dis Hour
Any spec (HR. A. Chileans that won't
Negot. to fast take
Novick-actors 4 statemts. cleak
itemser-shut it Dewn are before
kara-Aunt - message
Others to fast track--
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CWC, etc
improve
diffs. A. take leguslA.
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SEP-15 ,97 11:36 FROM:
TO:202 456 9280
PAGE: 01
Attached
DAN
BOB
Talkag pts(250f)
THE WHITE HOUSE
ERIC
LINDA
WASHINGTON
QiAs (4PP)
MALCOLM
AFLECIO Refered (6pp)
7C NAEDA, er
September 15, 1997
MEETING WITH HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
DATE:
Tuesday, September 16, 1997
LOCATION: Senate Capitol 5
TIME:
4:00pm - 5:00pm
FROM:
John Hilley for Hillery
I.
PURPOSE
To discuss with the House Democratic Caucus legislation
which grants the Administration traditional trading
authority.
II. BACKGROUND
Please see the following attachments:
1. Democratic Talking Points
2. General Fast Track Talking Points
3. Fast Track Questions and Answers
4. Response to AFL-CIO claims on NAFTA
III. PARTICIPANTS
Pre-Brief
President
Qs TC Daley
Vice President
cant Donovad
WORK
there
Erskine Bowles
callect APPORT
Ambassador Barshefsky
call)
Dad B.
c/o)
the
Gene Sperling
John Hilley
Tarello
Jay Berman
Ban kyle?
Meeting
President
Vice President
Representative Gephardt
Representative Fazio
Democratic Caucus
SEP- 16 .97 11:36 FROM:
TO: 202 456 9280
PAGE 02
IV. PRESS PLAN
Closed Press.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Representative Fazio will introduce Leader Gephardt. Leader
Gephardt will introduce the Vice President, who will in turn
introduce you. You will make brief remarks and take
questions from the Caucus.
VI. REMARKS
To be provided by speechwriters.
SEP 1.6 97 11:36 FROM:
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PAGE 03
Traditional Trading Authority
Discussion Points for Calls to Democrats
Held Bill Back to Listen to and Address Democratic Concerns. We held the bill back several
days to hear the concerns of Democrats. We listened, and we believe we now have a bill that
reflects the proper balance to address worker rights (including child labor standards) and
environmental protection. Key provisions include:
Worker Rights. Bill includes a negotiating objective on worker rights symmetrical to that
granted President Bush by a Democratic Congress, with a specific reference to child labor.
Also includes direction to seek stronger worker rights through the ILO, an idea proposed
by Senator Moynihan and other Democrats.
Environment. The negotiating objective also adds a specific provision on the environment,
the first time ever this has been referenced in a fast track bill.
Agriculture Bill contains specific negotiating objective on agriculture, requested by
Democrats.
Better Consultations Entirely new provisions requiring greater consultations, as to both
the trade agreement and any labor/environmental side agreements.
Duration. Authority granted until 2001, with extension until 200S only after a
congressional vote.
Bill Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Democratic Values. Overall, the President is
committed to pursuing three objectives: (1) to break down unfair foreign trade barriers and create
good American jobs; (2) to promote and advance worker rights; and (3) to promote responsible
environmental protections Throughout this process on fast track, our goal has been to ensure the
President has the capacity to pursue all three objectives effectively.
Trade Agreements This bill permits labor/environmental provisions "directly related to
trade" to be brought back to Congress under fast track authority This is but one of many
tools the President can use to advance his goals.
Side Agreements. The President has extensive executive authority to reach
labor/environmental agreements with countries. These agreements do not require
congressional approval. We have already committed to conclude companion
labor/environment agreements in future trade agreements where appropriate, and Chile has
already agreed to enter such agreements.
Other Agreements The Clinton Administration has done more than any other to press
countries to improve labor and environmental protection - and we will continue to do so,
whether through the ILO. the WTO, the UN, or international financial institutions. We
should be concerned about improving conditions in all countries, not just in free trade
partners.
16 '97 11:36 FROM:
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PAGE 04
More Detailed Review of Provisions. Key provisions include:
Necessary and Appropriate. We have added language that will allow us to include in
future implementing bills those provisions that are "necessary or appropriate" to
implement the relevant trade agreement. The Administration and the Congress need
flexibility to include in such bills provisions that, while not absolutely required to
implement a particular trade agreement, nevertheless address trade policy issues raised by
that agreement. These might include, for example, the agreement's relationship to existing
U.S. trade laws, authority to monitor the results of the agreement, or extending Trade
Adjustment Assistance to help those American workers who do not share the benefits
from expanded trade. Restricting future bills only to those provisions deemed "necessary"
would prevent inclusion of these and other critically important provisions.
Duration. The duration of the trading authority extends to 2001, with extension until
2005 only after a congressional vote.
Consultations with Congress: We have added strong-language to ensure Congress is a
full partner in setting objectives and establishing trade priorities for American negotiators.
Provisions never before included in fast track bills include: (1) a requirement that the
Administration inform Congress of its negotiating objectives for a specific agreement
before negotiations begin; (2) a requirement that the Administration consult before signing
a trade agreement about any parallel agreements, such as labor and environmental side
agreements.
Negotiating Instructions. We added a section on negotiating instructions that will
ensure negotiators do nothing that would lower U.S. public health and safety standards,
and insist upon strict enforcement of our trade laws.
Specific Agriculture Objective. The legislation responds to congressional concerns by
providing a series of measures designed to achieve fairer and more open conditions of
agricultural trade, including: reducing or eliminating tariffs and subsidies that hurt U.S.
agricultural exports and market opportunities; addressing other unjustified barriers to such
exports, and strengthening the international rules covering unfair foreign practices that
distort world agricultural markets
Chile. We have specifically designated Chile as the next country with which we would
negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. Chile made a firm commitment to enter into
side agreements on labor and the environment.
SEP-16.97 11:37 FROM:
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PAGE 05
President Submits Legislation to Restore Traditional Trading Authority
Tuesday, September 16, 1997
Sensible Bipartisan Legislation Today, President Clinton will submit legislation to Congress
that restores the President's traditional authority to negotiate trade agreements and break down
barriers to American exports. That negotiating authority legislation will help keep our economy
on the right track and create good American jobs, while honoring our commitment to our workers
and environment. We expect this legislation will garner the bipartisan support it deserves.
Free Trade is Critical to America's Continued Prosperity. The American economy is on the
move again. The President's three-part economic strategy -- cutting the deficit to spur private
sector investment, investing in critical priorities like education and training; and opening markets
abroad -- is a proven success. Since President Clinton took office, the American economy has
generated nearly 13 million new jobs, unemployment is below 5 %, wages are up, and the deficit
has been cut by more than 85% America is in the midst of a longer period of sustained growth
than any other major economy in the world; one-third of our growth depends on overseas trade.
American Exports Create Millions of High-Paying Jobs. Our aggressive export strategy, has
paid off for American companies and workers. America is once again the world's largest
exporter, the largest producer of semiconductors, and the largest producer of automobiles.
Exports support over 11.5 million jobs in the United States, including one in five manufacturing
jobs. Over the last four years alone, exports have created 1.7 million new jobs -- jobs that
typically pay 15 percent more than non-export-related jobs.
We Need To Keep Breaking Down Foreign Trade Barriers. To keep our economy on the
right track, we need to give the President the power that every President since Ford has had to
break down unfair foreign barriers to American exports. This legislation restores the President's
power to negotiate agreements that will help American businesses compete and win.
Legislation Honors Our Commitment to America's Workers and Our Environment. As we
expand trade, the President is committed to pursuing three objectives: (1) to break down unfair
foreign trade barriers and create good American jobs; (2) to promote and advance worker rights;
and (3) to promote responsible environmental protections. As we renew fast track authority, our
goal has been to give the President an array of negotiating tools to advance those objectives and
level the playing field for American workers in the trade deals:
Trade Agreements. This bill permits labor/environmental provisions "directly related to
trade" to be brought back to Congress under fast track authority.
Side Agreements The President has extensive executive authority to reach
labor/environmental agreements with countries. We have already committed to conclude
companion labor/environment agreements in future trade agreements where appropriate,
and Chile has already agreed to enter such agreements.
SEP-16.97 11:38 FROM:
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PAGE 06
Other Agreements. This Administration has done more than any other to press countries
to improve labor and environmental protection and we will continue to do so, whether
through the ILO, the WTO, the UN, or international financial institutions. We should be
concerned about improving conditions in all countries, not just in free trade partners.
President is Committed to Ensuring that Everyone Benefits from the Global Economy.
President Clinton has always recognized that we have a special obligation to help low wage and
dislocated workers. That's why he fought to raise the minimum wage, provide a more generous
Earned Income Tax Credit, increase investment in training, and win new pension and health
benefits for workers. That effort has already brought real results for low wage workers:
Since the President's 1993 Economic Plan passed, the real average income of the poorest
20 percent of families has increased nearly $1,000 -- or 9.7 percent.
In 1995 -- the most recent year data are available -- America saw its largest decline in
income inequality and the biggest drop in the number of people in poverty in 27 years.
As trade helps America continue to prosper, the President will continue his fight to expand
opportunities for dislocated and low wage workers.
Specific Provisions of the Bill Include:
Authority to Open Markets: The bill gives the President authority to negotiate global,
regional, sectoral and/or bilateral trade agreements, which would be brought back for
Congressional approval under "fast track" procedures (limited debate, no amendments).
This authority is critical to give our negotiators the credibility they need to secure good
agreements.
Reaffirms Commitment to Labor/Environment: The bill includes a specific negotiating to
improve labor rights and environmental protection abroad (a first ever reference to the
environment in fast track legislation). Provisions in bilateral free trade agreements must be
"directly related to trade," but the Administration may also seek side agreements, where
appropriate.
Pursues Trade Priorities: The bill contains negotiating objectives emphasizing key U.S.
trading interests, such as agriculture, services, investment, intellectual property, and the
need for the U.S. to preserve its health and safety laws and to vigorously U.S. trade laws.
Enhanced Congressional Consultations: We have added strong language to ensure
Congress is a full partner in setting objectives and establishing trade priorities for
American negotiators, including some provisions that have never before included in fast
track bills: (1) a requirement that the Administration inform Congress of its negotiating
objectives for a specific agreement before negotiations begin; (2) a requirement that the
Administration consult before signing a trade agreement about any parallel agreements,
such as labor and environmental side agreements
Duration Authority granted until 2001, with extension until 2005 only after a
congressional vote.
Draft 11:45pm 9/15/97
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
TALKING POINTS ON FAST TRACK
'97 SEP 16 AM8:32
HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
September 16, 1997
I have taken the step of coming here to talk directly to you about why it is in the
interests of our nation, our economy, and our party for Congress to pass the fast-track
legislation I have submitted today. Let me say at the outset: this is urgent for our nation, if
we are to capitalize on this moment of hope to create even wider opportunity. And it is
critical if the Democrats are to face the American people as a confident, hopeful party of
the future.
Four and a half years ago, you and I set this country on a bold new economic course
- an economic strategy that has produced strong prosperity. It was Democrats who cut the
deficit by 80%. It was Democrats who invested in our people. And it was Democrats who
worked with me to boost exports to record levels. Now, our strategy has produced a moment of
real optimism and hope for America. Results: 13M new jobs unemployment <5%
inflation
low,
poverty dropping and wages, flat for decades, now are rising. Up $1600. And for poorest
20%, up xx%.
You know and I know that in this new economy, America has no choice but to
expand trade. We have 4% of world's people; we must sell to the other 96%. 1/4 of our
growth came due to trade. Today, 12 million jobs due to exports; up to 16 million by 2000. And
these jobs are good jobs; they pay better than others. Today, America is #1 in autos again. And in
the cutting edge industries - biotech, computers, aerospace - America leads the world.
This legislation will give me the traditional authority to make trade agreements -
and it does it in a way that upholds the values of our party. It reflects your concerns and
benefited from the extensive consultation we have done.
Every single one of these agreements will tear down foreign barriers to American-made goods
and services.
It instructs negotiators to promote worker rights (in language identical to the language given
to President Bush by a Democratic Congress), and makes a specific reference to child labor.
It directs us to seek labor protections through the ILO - a change proposed to us by
Democrats.
It will allow us to negotiate side agreements on labor and the environment. These don't
require approval by Congress. The next country with whom we will negotiate a free trade
agreement is Chile - and Chile has agreed to side agreements on labor & the environment.
It will require extensive and unprecedented consultation with Congress at every step of the
way.
It would bar any negotiators from trading away US health & safety standards.
We don't pretend that this legislation has everything we want. But it is the best chance to
advance these priorities, and do so in a way that can pass a Republican Congress. This is the
best way to advance our agenda given the reality of a divided government.
We know that the burdens and benefits of trade do not fall evenly on all Americans.
We recognize our obligation to those who are left behind, to make sure that all Americans
can make the most of this opportunity.
We have a comprehensive program - EITC and Pell Grants, doubling trade adjustment
assistance, $1500 tax cut for community college, minimum wage, Kennedy Kassebaum - to
help working people in this time of change.
This legislation would allow Congress to expand trade adjustment assistance as part of
implementation of any trade agreement.
Let's remember - backing away from this won't create a single job or clean up a single toxic
waste dump. There is no argument that jobs will cross the border, because we're not talking
about agreements with our neighbors. The opportunities vastly outweigh the risks.
Above all, I come before you as a Democratic President who shares your values and
needs your support. I will use this authority in a way consistent with the principles we stand for,
consistent with the record of my administration. A Democratic Congress gave Gerald Ford this
authority. A Democratic Congress gave Ronald Reagan this authority. And a Democratic
Congress gave a Republican President this authority in 1991 - with the active support of many of
you here. Now as a Democratic President, I ask the same authority that has been granted to every
President of either party. And I pledge to you that I will use it in a way that reflects the values for
which all of us fight every day. Democrats must be the party of opportunity, of hope, of the
future. We cannot be that party if we are seen to be retreating from the opportunities of the
global economy.
2
Hill Participants
Administration Participants
Representative Chris John
The President
Representative Bob Wigin
Vice President
Representative Brad Sherman
Secretary Rubin
Representative Jim Turner
Secretary Glickman
Representative Alan Boyd
Se
Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Ambassador Barshefsky
Representative Robert Wexler
Erskine Bowles
Representative Karen Thurman
Sandy Berger
Representative Earl P meroy
Daniel K. Tarullo
Representative Juanita
Gene Sperling
Millender McDonald
John Hilley
Mack McLarty
Jay Berman
Vicki Radd
Susan Brophy
Bob Kyl
John Podesta/Sylvia Mathews