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WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted today to postpone consideration of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which President Bush submitted to Congress on Monday. Today’s 224 to 195 vote in the House of Representatives removes the timeline that requires the House to vote on the bill within 60 days.
“Rather than working with Congress to help American workers and local businesses, President Bush is trying to push through yet another trade agreement that will send more of our jobs overseas,” Stupak said. “The Colombia Free Trade Agreement could result in an outflow of American capital and jobs to take advantage of weaker labor and environmental standards.”
On November 22, 2006, the Bush Administration signed the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to establish a bi-national free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia. The agreement would eliminate all tariffs and other barriers to trade between the U.S. and Colombia. Breaking more than 30 years of precedent, the President opted to send the trade agreement to Congress for approval without the consent of congressional leadership, rather than working with Democrats and Republicans to address a number of concerns that have been raised.
Stupak noted that Colombia’s track record of violence against trade unionists – more than 2,000 have been murdered – and the agreement’s failure to properly address food, drug and product safety are key issues that have not been addressed. The agreement requires U.S. food safety regulators to treat imported food the same as domestically produced food, even though Colombian food safety standards are no where near those of the U.S. This means that food can move freely between the U.S. and Colombia, without proper inspection.
“Congress cannot afford to pass another harmful trade agreement that fails to protect our families from contaminated food, drugs and toys,” said Stupak, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “The Colombia Free Trade Agreement would further this cycle by requiring the United States to rely on minimal foreign regulatory structures, foreign growing and processing standards, and foreign safety inspectors to ensure that imports are safe.”
“With a struggling domestic economy, now is the time to focus on policies that help working families and the small businesses creating jobs in our local communities,” Stupak said. “This is not the time to rush into a trade agreement that will have such an enormous impact on middle class families and the U.S. economy.”
The U.S. trade deficit has grown to more than $817 billion and trade policies have cost America 3.2 million manufacturing jobs over the past 10 years. NAFTA, CAFTA and other free trade agreements cost Michigan 279,200 manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2007.
“Instead of calling for increased job training, tax credits for business expansion or critical unemployment assistance, the President is once again trying to convince Congress and the American people that another trade agreement is the answer,” Stupak said. “Michigan and other manufacturing states are suffering as a result of the President’s failed trade policies and his administration’s unwillingness to enforce the agreements we have. Before Congress considers another trade agreement we should demand full enforcement of all trade agreements.” |
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![[News From Congressman Bart Stupak]](stupakpr.gif)
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