Claims to supports workers hours after voting against them
This morning, out-of-touch multimillionaire Ron Johnson feigned support for Wisconsin workers affected by unfair trade agreements — mere hours after voting against financial assistance for workers and families whose jobs are sent overseas.
SHOT: Johnson defended his support of an unfair trade agreement by saying he supported helping workers that had been displaced….
Johnson: “We All Support Being Able To Help Workers That Have Been Displaced.” “Free trade does help all economies. And there are dislocations. There are protections against those dislocations. We all support being able to help workers that have been displaced.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/19/15]
CHASER: Just yesterday, Johnson voted against benefits for workers whose jobs were eliminated by outsourcing…
Johnson Voted Against Funding Trade Adjustment Authority Funding At $575 Million Through Fiscal Year 2020. In May 2015, Johnson voted against: “Brown, D-Ohio, amendment no. 1242 to the Hatch, R-Utah, substitute amendment no. 1221 that would authorize a total of $575 million for the trade adjustment assistance program for each fiscal year starting in 2015 and concluding in 2021.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 45-41. [CQ, 5/18/15; Admt. No. 1242 to H.R. 1314, Vote 181,5/18/15]
- The Amendment Would Boost TAA Funding From $450 Million To $575 Million To Take Care Of Workers Affected By Unfair Foreign Trade. “As the Senate considers legislation to grant the Administration with trade promotion authority to pass the largest trade agreement ever negotiated and extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will offer the first Democratic amendment to the bill. Brown’s amendment would help take care of workers affected by unfair foreign trade by increasing TAA funding from $450 to $575 million – the funding level in President Obama’s budget and in the 2009 and 2011 TAA programs. This funding level has previously received strong bipartisan support. The amendment is fully offset and would not add to the deficit.” [Senator Brown, Press Release, 5/18/15]
Johnson Voted Against An Expansion Of Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits For Unemployed Workers, Including Job Retraining. In September 2011, Johnson 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]
Johnson Voted Against An Expansion Of Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits For Unemployed Workers. In September 2011, Johnson voted against: “Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 633 that would revive an expansion of Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits for unemployed workers who lose their jobs because of foreign trade. The expanded benefits were originally enacted as part of the 2009 economic stimulus law.” The amendment was agreed to 69-28. [CQ, 9/22/11; H.R. 2832, S. Amdt. 633, Vote 149, 9/22/11]
Johnson Voted To Restrict Trade Adjustment Assistance To Only Workers Adversely Affected By Trade From A County With A Free Trade Agreement. In September 2011, Johnson voted against a Rubio, R-Fla., amendment no. 651 to Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 633. The Rubio amendment would allow only workers adversely affected by trade from a country with a free trade agreement with the United States to receive Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). The Casey amendment would revive an expansion of TAA benefits for unemployed workers provided in the 2009 economic stimulus law. [CQ; H.R. 2832, S. Amdt. 651 to S. Amdt. 633, Vote 146, 9/22/11]
Johnson Voted To Terminate Trade Adjustment Assistance For Certain Companies Impacted By Foreign Competition. In September 2011, Johnson 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 was rejected 43-54. [CQ; H.R. 2832, S. Amdt. 645 to S. Amdt. 633, Vote 145, 9/21/11]
Johnson Voted To Narrow The Eligibility Criteria For Trade Adjustment Assistance. In September 2011, Johnson voted for: a 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 was rejected 40-57. [CQ; Vote 144, 9/21/11]
Johnson Voted Against Expanding The Level Of Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits.In September 2011, Johnson voted for a 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. Amendment rejected 46-53. [CQ; Vote 143,9/21/11]
