Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed’s (R-Corning, NY 23) reelection campaign is firing back at his Democratic challenger after he criticized the Corning Republican for supporting foreign trade deals that he claims have decimated the region’s economy and putting New York families into poverty.
On Wednesday Reed’s Democratic Challenger John Plumb (D-Lakewood) said that Reed has voted in favor of every single foreign trade deal that’s come before him in Congress, and each deal put local businesses at an unfair disadvantage so they’ve had to shutdown, ship jobs overseas, and leave people without work and families in poverty.
On Thursday the Reed camp responded, saying that Plumb’s comments show complete ignorance of the basics of American trade policy. Specifically, they say Plumb is attacking Reed for supporting a free trade deal that doesn’t even exist.
A Reed campaign spokesperson said that it’s astounding that someone running for Congress who worked for President Obama in foreign policy could believe that the United States has a free trade agreement with China – which was part of the allegations from Plumb.
The also touted Reed’s efforts to create jobs by pointing to the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovations Act – which was cosponsored by Reed and which received bipartisan support.
Ignorance may be bliss to the majority of Rep. Tom Reed’s fans, but those with knowledge beyond partisan politics, know that trade with China has been devastating to the US. Tom Reed has even hawked the idea of “Paying China First” when it comes to paying down debt. Who’s side is Reed on?
John Plumb appears far more knowledgeable about trade deals after all:
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-01-26/free-trade-with-china-wasn-t-such-a-great-idea
Tom Reed has effectively flip flopped on the TTP ( Trans Pacific Pact) , first allowing the Fast Track of the deal ( giving Congress only 90 days to discuss the TTP, then an up or down vote, allowing NO amendments.
First Reed was all for it, saying it was just what our country needed, now saying before he would vote for it, it needs a few changes. It’s pretty clear Reed would vote Yes to the deal as soon as a few items were switched to give corporations even more control over the items he’s concerned about.