This week, in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA) was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade,  issued the following statement in support of the bill:

“To achieve a healthy economy and create better jobs for Americans we must have good trade agreements. Currently, one in five jobs in Kansas stem directly from trade and it is critical we continue to work with other nations to unlock new opportunities for growth. I’m pleased that this bill empowers Congress to set priorities and ensure that any trade negotiation is based on the best interests of the American people so we can sell more American-made goods and grow our economy.”

Impact of Trade on Kansas:

-          392,000 jobs in Kansas are a result of  international trade. Investment from foreign-owned companies is responsible for nearly 60,000 Kansas jobs.

-          Customers in 192 countries and territories buy Kansas goods.

-          In 2014, Kansas exported well over $12 billion in goods. $5.1 billion of Kansas goods were exported to countries America has free trade agreements with.

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