Sept. 19, 1962 - The Senate passed the Administration’s foreign trade bill today and thus capped for President Kennedy his biggest victory of the 87th Congress. A surprisingly lopsided vote of 78-8 gave convincing emphasis to the extent of the triumph. It also evidenced a sharp decline in protectionist sentiment in Congress and the country. The measure carries out in full the President’s recommendations for extensive new tariff-cutting powers to provide an effective bargaining lever for reduction of world trade barriers, particularly in commerce with the booming European Economic Community, or Common Market. It also grants his request for a new program of “trade adjustment assistance” to American industries and workers injured by competition from increased imports of competitive products.
