Arlington, Va. – Dave McCurdy, president of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), today called the Trade Promotion Authority conference agreement great news for the U.S. economy and a fantastic show of leadership by Senator Baucus, Congressman Thomas and the conferees. McCurdy implored Congress to pass the conference report post-haste and send it to the President for his signature before the August recess begins.

McCurdy said:  “The TPA compromise agreement reached by the conferees is great news. Our economy can use all the help it can get right now, and I commend Congressman Thomas and Senator Baucus for their leadership in crafting a compromise TPA bill that will help get our economy back on track.”

“TPA has been left lingering for far too long. U.S. exports continue to fall, and tech exports were down $34 billion from 2000 to 2001,” McCurdy continued. “This means lost jobs for our industry. Particularly at this time of economic uncertainty and the ongoing economic slump, our companies are looking to overseas markets for new growth opportunities. The longer TPA is kept on the back burner, the longer our foreign competitors have to sign new trade agreements, penetrate new markets and increase market share. Our economy needs TPA now.

"I implore President Bush, Senator Baucus, Congressman Thompson and all the conferees to use their leadership to ensure the TPA conference agreement passes the House today. We must send TPA to the President for his signature before the August recess begins.”

In 2001, more than one-third of the U.S. electronics industry’s output was exported overseas – more than $200 billion in goods. More than one-third of the 1.8 million employees who work for U.S. electronics companies depend on exports for their jobs.