Farm, Labor & Environmental Groups Credit Hirono as a Champion of Trade Fairness

WASHINGTON, DC - October 22, 2008 - America's largest trade coalition, with over 12 million combined members, endorsed Congresswoman Hirono today as "a true champion of trade" in response to her voting record and past work on the issue.  She received the support of Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) PAC as one of the "real reformers in Congress," joining just fifteen percent of her colleagues from both parties in this category.

"A lot of candidates talk about trade reform, but Congresswoman Hirono is walking the walk in Washington," said PAC Director Andy Gussert. "She is an innovator on this important issue, and is taking real steps forward to make sure we can expand trade without outsourcing and offshoring state jobs."

Hirono recently cosponsored the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act of 2008 (H.R. 6180) to offer a more balanced way to expand trade.  This groundbreaking legislation lays out a fair way forward, showing what members of Congress should support - and must oppose -- in future trade and globalization policy, including what future trade agreement must and must not include.

"We all support trade," acknowledged Gussert, "And Congresswoman Hirono is taking steps to make sure we have more of it.  But she knows that every trade agreement is not automatically a good trade agreement."  Hirono joined a majority of her Democratic colleagues in voting against the Peru Free Trade Agreement in November of 2007, and has consistently voted against other job killing trade deals modeled after the failed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Over 2008, the Bush Administration has been unsuccessful in bringing major trade agreements to the floor of Congress because of opposition from members of both parties.  One pact in particular, the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, does not have the backing of a single faith, family farm, environmental or labor group in all of America.  With expected gains in both the House and Senate of candidates running on fair trade issues, it is less likely these current trade deals could be brought up for a vote in 2009.

"Congresswoman Hirono is working hard to make sure we craft future trade agreements that will reflect the interests of a majority of people, and can successfully pass through Congress," concluded Gussert.  "We applaud her for being a real reformer on trade, and enthusiastically offer our endorsement to her campaign."