Trade and Immigration

Free Trade, Free Markets: Rating Congress

Search the Congressional voting record on free trade and protectionism.

Position Statements

Free Trade

Voluntary economic exchange is inherently fair. Government intervention in that process on behalf of some citizens at the expense of others is inherently unfair. That is the compelling, moral justification for a world without trade barriers: free trade respects the sanctity of individuals to decide how and with whom to transact; protectionism coerces individuals to make particular decisions to the benefit of chosen parties. Beyond the moral case, free markets are essential to prosperity, and widening the circle of people with whom we transact by eliminating trade barriers brings benefits to consumers in the form of lower prices, greater variety, and better quality, and it allows companies to reap the benefits of innovation, specialization, and economies of scale that larger markets afford.

Immigration

Immigration should be considered an important source of necessary labor for the American economy. Immigration policies should be revised to allow US based businesses liberal access to both high and low-skilled workers. Immigration control should be focused on securing our borders from terrorists and criminals. Throughout history, immigration has been an important source of economic and social vitality for the United States, naturally expanding and contracting depending on the available supply of jobs in the US economy. Regulating immigration is the responsibility of the federal government, and we should have a comprehensive federal immigration system that promotes family cohesion, economic innovation, economic growth, the rule of law, and secure borders.