Senators Try to Weaken Aid to Americans Who Lose Jobs to Outsourcing

CNN Lou Dobbs

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A number of senators tried to weaken a federal program designed to help unemployed workers in this country who have lost their jobs to outsourcing. The Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program provides relief to laid-off manufacturing workers. But the Department of Labor denies applications from service workers who merely delivered goods, not made them. Legislation introduced in Congress would broaden the program, but it faces an uphill climb. Senator Charles Grassley, for example, wants to tie trade assistance to fast track authority, which expired last month. That authority allows the White House to largely bypass Congress negotiating trade deals. But proponents of trade assistance, which is up for renewal in September, say it should not be held hostage because of a provision that benefits big business. Workers who lose their jobs after that date could be denied assistance. The new legislation would not only expand the program to service workers, it would also give them additional help covering health care premiums and it would streamline the process, making it easier for entire industries to apply for assistance.