FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2005
Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431
 
 
 WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (CO-01), a strong proponent of free and fair trade, announced her opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in its current form. 

“Since I first came to Congress in 1997, I have been a steadfast supporter of free trade,” said Rep. DeGette. “I wanted to support expanding trade to Central America. But, with great dismay, I have concluded that I cannot in good faith vote for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) as it stands today because it lacks even the most basic means of enforcing environmental or labor protections.”

As negotiated by the White House without any bipartisan input, CAFTA eliminates the United States’ current ability to withdraw trade benefits, or impose any meaningful penalties on Central American governments that fail to enforce labor or environmental standards. The Administration also repeatedly refused to fund education and training programs that would help to ensure the future competitiveness of American workers, including Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which assists workers who could lose their jobs due to CAFTA. 

“It is unfortunate that Democrats who support expanding trade do not have the opportunity to vote for free and fair trade with Central America. CAFTA did not have to threaten the United States’ stronger regulations and, instead, could have provided incentive for improvement from its prospective trading partners,” said Rep. DeGette. “But the Administration refused to address these concerns. By eliminating critical – and proven – tools for enforcement, CAFTA could actually weaken the few protections that exist for workers and the environment in Central America today.”

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