Pelosi and Rangel Statement on Administration Sending Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress
April 07 2008 - 4:57PM
PR Newswire (US)
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy
Pelosi and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel
issued the following statement today on the announcement by
President Bush that he will send the Colombia Free Trade Agreement
to Congress tomorrow: "President Bush's statement today regarding
his unprecedented decision to send a free trade agreement to
Congress without following established protocols of Congressional
consultation is counter-productive, jeopardizing prospects for its
passage. Under present circumstances, we cannot support the
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. "A successful trade agenda
depends on a joint partnership between the Congress and the
Administration, where consultation is the norm, not the exception.
Constitutionally, Congress is responsible for regulating
international commerce. The President's disregard toward a co-equal
branch of government serves only to work against the long-term
interests of the United States and Colombia. "The President's
apparent disregard for the economic insecurity faced by millions of
struggling American families highlights a misplaced set of
priorities. Due to Republican intransigence, trade adjustment
assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to trade lapsed
last year and Republicans have blocked efforts to extend and expand
these initiatives this year. Similarly, Democratic efforts to
extend unemployment benefits, help those threatened by foreclosure,
and strengthen health care for America's children have been
rebuffed by President Bush. "When congressional leaders meet with
the President on Wednesday, we will urge him to focus on the
economy and work in a bipartisan manner on a new stimulus package
to help America's working families. We must work together to
restore consumer, market, and worker confidence. "House Democrats
are committed to supporting Colombia and the efforts of President
Uribe. We have twice passed the Andean Trade Preference Extension
Act, providing economic development alternatives to illicit
narcotics production and trafficking to create a more stable
environment in Colombia. We have provided additional funds to
support Colombia's efforts to strengthen its judicial system and
stem violence against labor leaders. President Bush's efforts to
create a false sense of urgency have no merit and ultimately ignore
these valuable contributions to democracy in Colombia. "Despite
progress made by President Uribe, Colombia remains a dangerous
place to be a labor activist, and for those who commit these acts
of violence, there is little threat of prosecution or punishment.
Sustained progress on the ground remains a prerequisite for our
support." DATASOURCE: Office of the Speaker of the House CONTACT:
Brendan Daly or Nadeam Elshami, both of the Office of the Speaker
of the House, +1-202-226-7616
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