WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after voting against legislation that would grant Trade Promotion Authority to the President:

“I can’t justify supporting a process that, in effect, would approve a major trade deal that has substantial stakes for Maine when we haven't even seen it,” Senator King said. “And I have serious concerns that the Trans Pacific Partnership will put Maine companies – and their workers – at a significant competitive disadvantage. I just don't know how to explain to Maine people that that they have to compete straight up with countries with little or no labor protections, weak environmental standards, and wages below a dollar an hour. This is one more blow to American manufacturing, and the country will come to regret the Senate's action today, probably sooner rather than later.”

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