mr. speaker , i rise today in strong support of the bahrain free trade agreement . 
this agreement is good for the united states , and it is good for bahrain . 
it has real trade benefits . 
but beyond that , it will strengthen relations with one of our most steadfast friends in the middle east . 
progress made on labor and economic reforms can stand as a model for future trade agreements with the middle east . 
the ways and means committee 's bipartisan approval of the u.s.-bahrain free trade agreement is symbolic of the cooperative and supportive relationship that exists between the two countries . 
this agreement will bring benefits to both countries , strengthen economic ties , and promote social , political , and economic opportunities . 
the bahrainis have taken difficult , but important , progressive steps that will elevate standards in bahrain and help promote stability in the middle east . 
bahrain has been a steadfast american ally through world war ii , the gulf war , and the war on terrorism . 
bahrain has implemented multiple substantive reforms over the past few years , including the adoption of a new constitution to transform the country from a hereditary emirate to a constitutional monarchy , the creation of a bicameral legislature , and granting suffrage to all citizens over 18 years of age . 
in addition , bahrain has made significant improvements to its labor laws and has dismantled its arab league boycott of israel . 
my friends , globalization is here . 
and as tom friedman indicated , yes , indeed , the world is flat . 
we have made sure that we are more interdependent upon one another ; and it is good to be interdependent , because with that interdependence , we as a nation begin to depend on others in this world . 
the world is much smaller than it was just 40 years ago . 
as we become dependent upon one another , raising the standards of living all over this world , we then indeed ensure a safer united states of america and a more harmonized world . 
i say let us vote for this . 
it is good for america , it is good for bahrain , and it is good for the middle east . 
