September 29, 1978
Page 32581
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I am delighted to join my good friend from South Carolina as a cosponsor of this amendment.
This is only the next step in a struggle that has continued for all the 20 years I have been in the Senate, to protect and safeguard jobs, workers, and industries in areas of the country that are particularly vulnerable to penetration from low wage competition from abroad.
In the early 1960's, as a result of Presidential action, we were able to trigger agreements with other countries which had the effect of limiting exports to tolerable limits. Those limits are now being exceeded.
The distinguished Senator from South Carolina has given us the figures. They are up to date, and they are a shocking demonstration of the fact that in an industry which is not noted in this country as being a particularly high-wage industry, it is nevertheless especially vulnerable to low-wage competition from abroad.
So I am delighted to join as a cosponsor, and I wholeheartedly support the proposal of the Senator from South Carolina.