While China continues to manipulate the value of their currency–undermining U.S. manufacturers and costing American jobs–the House Republican leadership is bringing three trade bills today for a vote before allowing a vote on the bipartisan China currency bill that could create more than one million American jobs.
There are 225 co-sponsors of the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (H.R. 639) – including 61 House Republicans.
176 Members have signed the discharge petition to force the bill to come to the floor for a vote.
And similar legislation passed the House last year with broad bipartisan support – 348 to 79…including 99 Republicans voting in favor of the bill.
Since the House Republican leadership continues to thwart the bipartisan will of the House, House Democrats forced a vote tonight by offering a Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Reps. Sandy Levin (D-MI) and Mark Critz (D-PA) on the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (H.R. 639) to:
Create at least one million manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
Level the playing field for American workers and businesses
Enhance our economic and national security – by cutting our trade deficit with China, at no cost to taxpayers
Despite the fact that 61 House Republicans are co-sponsors of the bill, only 4 House Republicans joined 188 House Democrats in voting aye tonight–defeating the motion by a vote of 192-236.
See previous posts on The Gavel:
MEMORANDUM: GOP vs. GOP on China Currency
House Republican Leaders Are Refusing to Save Jobs & Hold China Accountable