Pelosi: We Must Do More to Expand the Benefits of Globalization for All Americans

'Thank you, Chairman Frank, for organizing this roundtable discussion on an issue of such critical importance to working families.

'The ingenuity and innovative spirit of the American people has always been our greatest asset.  In recent years, our increasingly global market has brought many opportunities, but has also created unprecedented challenges in how we address the increased economic insecurity faced by many working families.

'The American people want to know what we're doing about their economic security. Democrats are committed to expanding opportunities for American workers, businesses, and farmers.  This will require a renewed commitment to investing in our future - through education and innovation, while at the same time strengthening our nation's safety net.

'Democrats have already moved ahead with our Innovation Agenda, Our Commitment to Keeping America's Economy Number One.  In May, we passed a key component of the Innovation Agenda, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act. And, just yesterday, we passed a college affordability bill that represents the single largest increase in financial aid since the GI Bill of Rights - an $18 billion increase in college aid over the next five years without adding a single penny to the deficit.

'We have also forged a new consensus on trade - where for the first time enforceable, basic labor rights and environmental standards will be included in free trade agreements negotiated by the Bush administration, ensuring that that our trading partners do not lure American jobs abroad through the use of child and slave labor or by lax environmental standards

'While we have made progress, much more needs to be done toward increasing our competitiveness and expanding the benefits of globalization for all Americans.

'In the coming months, Democrats will continue to lay out a positive agenda that addresses these challenges and today's discussion will play a critical role in exploring new approaches to ensuring future economic growth and economic security for America's families.'