Workers in Muskingum Valley and across Ohio have a lot to lose and a lot to gain from our trade policies – including new free trade agreements. But too often, these agreements are reached behind closed doors, and in the past they’ve harmed U.S. workers instead of helping them. Recently in Nashport, I stood with workers from IBEW Local 1105, USW Local 4708, the Building Trades and AFL-CIO to voice our opposition to trade deals like these that don’t put American workers first.

Right now, Congress is working on legislation to give the Administration renewed fast track authority – known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). This would give the Administration the ability to conclude negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as other trade initiatives. In the past, fast track authority has resulted in NAFTA-style trade deals that have shipped jobs overseas, shuttered Ohio manufacturing facilities, and given handouts to the biggest multinational corporations.