Trade, Manufacturing, Immigration and Jobs

Lower Barriers to Trade:  John McCain believes that globalization is an opportunity for American workers today and in the future. Ninety-five percent of the world's customers lie outside our borders, and we need to be at the table when the rules for access to those markets are written. To do so, the U.S. should engage in multilateral, regional and bilateral efforts to reduce barriers to trade, level the global playing field and build effective enforcement of global trading rules.

Competitive American Workers:  John McCain understands that globalization will not automatically benefit every American. We must prepare the next generation of workers by making American education worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. We must be a nation committed to competitiveness and opportunity. We must fight for the ability of all students to have access to any school of demonstrated excellence. We must place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children.

Overhaul unemployment insurance and make it a program for retraining, relocating and assisting workers who have lost a job. The unemployment insurance system created in the 1950s needs to be modernized to meet the goals of helping displaced workers make ends meet between jobs and moving people quickly on to the next opportunity.

John McCain will reform the half-dozen training programs to approaches that can be used to meet the bills, pay for training, and get back to work. John McCain believes that we can strengthen community colleges and technical training, and give displaced workers more choices to find their way back to productive and prosperous lives.

John McCain believes America's immigration system is broken. He is committed to a two-step process to reform.

Securing Our Borders First. John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure. Steps to border security include setting clear guidelines and objectives for securing the border through physical and virtual barriers.  Ensuring that adequate funding is provided for resources on the ground, but also training facilities, support staff and the deployment of technologies. Dedicating funding to US Attorney’s offices in border states. To view more details please click here (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm)

Comprehensive Immigration Initiatives for a Secure Nation.  Once the borders are secure, John McCain will prosecute “Bad-Actor” Employers.  John McCain will implement a secure, accurate, and reliable electronic employment verification system to ensure that individuals are screened for work eligibility in a real-time fashion.  John McCain will use this new system in conjunction with other Department of Homeland Security resources to identify and aggressively prosecute employers that continue to hire illegal immigrants.  To read more information about the Electronic Employment Verification System please click here (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm)

Meet America’s Labor Needs:  John McCain will implement temporary worker programs that will reflect the labor needs of the United States in both the high-tech and low skilled sectors while protecting the employment opportunities for US workers.

Low-skilled agricultural workers:
Reform the H-2A visa program to provide a non-bureaucratic, adaptable, useable program that is reflective of market needs and protects both the immigrant and US workers. 

Address the Undocumented.  John McCain will address the fact that we have a large number undocumented individuals living in the United States and working in our economy. All undocumented individuals will be required to enroll in a program to resolve their status.

For more information on trade please visit: http://www.johnmccain.com/Issues/JobsforAmerica/trade.htm  
For more information on immigration, please visit:  http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm

This information is not comprehensive, and should not be considered an endorsement of either campaign.  For the most current and complete information about the campaigns, please visit either www.johnmccain.com or www.barackobama.com.