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The United States Senate recently passed a measure called Trade Promotion Authority. Under the bill, the Congress can only vote for or against a trade agreement once it has been negotiated. This ability to “fast-track” such agreements would be important when Congress considers possible trade deals with Asian and Pacific countries and also Europe. But the issue of free trade can fuel a debate about U.S. jobs. Many labor unions and Democratic Party members support a little-known federal program for American workers. It is called the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. It provides financial assistance to those who lose their job because of increased foreign competition. Conservatives say the program is ineffective and costs too much.
* measure = 조치(정책)/ vote for[against] ~ = ~에 대해 찬성[반대] 투표를 하다/ fast-tract = (출세 등의 목표를) 빨리(조기에) 달성하게 하다/ fuel = 부채질하다/ finalcial assistance = 재정적 원조
However, a former steel worker who spoke with VOA says the program works and should be expanded. Michael Smith worked at the Bethlehem Steel Mill in Sparrows Point, Maryland. The mill was once a major producer of steel. It employed as many as 30,000 Americans. Mr. Smith was a crane operator with Bethlehem Steel for 13 years. Recently, he returned to the grounds. "I remember what this place used to be. I remember the sights, the sounds, the tractors. It’s actually hard physically standing here. I mean, my heart hurts." The mill closed in 2012 as a result of a series of business decisions and increasing global competition. That left Mr. Smith and 2,500 mill workers with no jobs and few marketable skills. “I was blessed enough to find a program called TRA (Trade Readjustment Allowance) and TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance), which is a union bargain benefit that was provided to us.” The TAA program gave Mr. Smith a weekly stipend. He used his retraining assistance to pay for books and school tuition fees. He recently completed his college studies and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
* steel worker = 철강 노동자/ mill = (특정한 재료를 만드는) 공장/ marketable skills = 시장성 있는 기술/ stipend = 급료, 봉급
