FLOOR STATEMENT OF REP. JIM MCCRERY
OPPOSING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURAL PLOY ON COLOMBIA TRADE
APRIL 10, 2008
(REMARKS AS PREPARED)

I strongly oppose this extraordinary, unprecedented, and dangerous change to House Rules.  Congress first gave Trade Promotion Authority to the President in 1974 to allow him to engage directly with our competitors around the world to level the playing field, eliminate barriers to American exports, create jobs for American workers, and lower prices for American families.  Passing this rule would undermine that authority and damage United States credibility abroad because our trading partners could rightfully question the commitments of our Government in negotiating trade agreements.

I’ve heard it said that this rule will allow us to consider this agreement this year, after the election.  But what this rule would do is to eliminate the certainty that Congress will vote on the agreement.  It doesn’t guarantee a vote by a time certain.  It doesn’t push the vote off until after the election.  It just turns off the clock entirely. 

Even postponing Congressional consideration of this agreement does tremendous damage to America’s competitiveness.  Right now Canada and the EU are completing FTAs with Colombia.  As a result, they will gain a competitive advantage over American products.  Colombia will buy tractors, mining equipment, and fertilizer from Canada, France, and Germany instead of from Illinois, Georgia, and Texas.  Every day that goes by costs American companies exports and American workers jobs.

I’m mystified as to why any Member would oppose this agreement when all it does is level the playing field for American workers, farmers, and businesses.  Today, American workers compete against imports from Colombia that enter the United States virtually duty free as part of our developing country preference program supported by 365 Members, while U.S. exports produced by American workers and shipped to Colombia face significant tariffs.  This agreement eliminates those obstacles to U.S. exports and supports American jobs.

I agree with Chairman Rangel's assessment last month that denying a vote on this agreement would not help address the concerns about labor violence in Colombia.  In fact, this agreement would help Colombian labor unions.  The agreement includes robust, enforceable ILO core labor standards – standards included with the strong support of the Democratic Leadership – to require Colombia to continue the tremendous progress it has made to improve labor rights.  Colombian labor leaders who represent tens of thousands of Colombian workers strongly support the agreement for this very reason.

I strongly urge a NO vote for this rule.

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FLOOR STATEMENT OF REP. WALLY HERGER
OPPOSING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURAL PLOY ON COLOMBIA TRADE
APRIL 10, 2008
(REMARKS AS PREPARED)

Mr. Speaker, if this procedural vote is successful, Congress would be rebuffing the Colombia agreement through technical gimmicks and rejecting a level playing field for American workers.  Colombian workers and producers already have free access to the U.S. market, but we don’t have reciprocity.  Our manufacturers and farmers need this agreement to sell their product, create jobs, and compete against foreign producers.  Today's vote stymies Congressional action on an agreement that will spur job creation and economic growth for U.S. workers and their families.  A vote for this rule is a vote against American workers, period. 

Since the agreement was signed nearly 500 days ago, Congressional Republicans and the White House have tried to work with the Democratic Majority to approve this agreement.  We reached a bipartisan consensus nearly a year ago to ensure Congressional consideration of this agreement.  In sending up the agreement, the President said that he was open to continuing discussions with Democrats.  The Democratic Leadership, through this rule, has firmly shut the door to any discussions. 

Members should be keenly aware of the very negative foreign policy ramifications of this vote.  Several foreign leaders in the region, 31 U.S. Ambassadors to Latin America, and over 40 respected leaders of the Democratic Party have emphasized the importance of this agreement in supporting expanded democracy and development in the region. 

This rule would be cheered by belligerent leftist guerillas abetted by Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who seek to undermine the democratically-elected Colombian government, with menacing ramifications.  This rule is a public slap in the face of a loyal ally at the epicenter of a philosophical war between democracy and totalitarianism, capitalism and socialism.  President Uribe made very clear that the best way to support Colombia’s struggle for economic and political security is to pass the agreement. 

Today’s action would trounce that plea and embolden the foes of democracy in Latin America.  I urge Members to oppose this rule and give the agreement the fair up-or-down vote it deserves.

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