Wyden hopeful on NAFTA, votes no on FAA funding bill

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued statements Monday on President Trump’s announcement of a new NAFTA deal and on his no vote on an FAA funding bill.

First, the Senate Finance Committee ranking member issued the following statement on the announcement of the updated NAFTA:

“As I’ve said many times, NAFTA has long needed a serious overhaul. The crucial test for a new NAFTA, or any new trade agreement, is whether it is enforceable, particularly with respect to promises to protect worker rights and the environment. Americans are sick of hearing speeches about the benefits of new trade agreements when the agreements in place aren’t even enforced and their opportunities don’t materialize,” Wyden said.

“I look forward to learning more about the final details and discussing the new agreement with Oregonians to determine whether it lives up to the president’s promise to strike a new deal that truly benefits U.S. workers, innovators and farmers.”

Later, Wyden issued the following statement in response to Monday’s procedural vote in the Senate on reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration:

“I am proud to have secured key provisions in this bill that support Oregon’s small airports, provides funding certainty for Air Traffic Control, and continues support for our state’s job-creating unmanned aerial systems test ranges in Pendleton, Tillamook and Warm Springs,” Wyden said.

“However, while these programs will provide real help for rural Oregon, I must oppose the larger bill because it knuckles under to the airlines by excluding important consumer protections for passengers, and gives the government unnecessary surveillance authority as part of a new program to bring down drones.

“I will continue to fight to provide air passengers with consumer rights and against excessive airline fees,” Wyden said. “And I look forward to working with my colleagues towards ensuring the government can do what’s needed to keep Americans safe from drone-based violence, while ensuring our core civil liberties.”