[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1660-E1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-UNITED STATES FREE TRADE AGREEMENT 
                           IMPLEMENTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 3045, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free 
Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
  I'm an unapologetic avid free-trader. I believe we are in the midst 
of a globalization revolution. I believe the United States has an 
enormous role to play in that revolution.
  We are the nation that benefits most from global economic 
integration, so it is our job to make sure globalization is 
sustainable. That it creates more winners than losers, in as many 
places as possible, on as many days as possible.
  But Mr. Speaker, we need to understand that CAFTA is more than just a 
trade pact. It's a signal of U.S. commitment to democracy and 
prosperity for our neighbors. And it's the best immigration, anti-gang, 
and anti-drug policy at our disposal.
  I recently returned from leading a congressional delegation to El 
Salvador, Venezuela, and Colombia. The trip left me more convinced than 
ever that a large part of the answer to so many questions confronting 
the D.C. region and the entire United States is, quite simply, free 
trade.
  Want to fight the ever-more-violent MS-13 gang activity originating 
in El Salvador but prospering in Northern Virginia? Pass CAFTA.
  Want to begin to ebb the growing flow of illegal immigrants from 
Central America? Pass CAFTA.
  Want to curb the still-steady stream of illegal drugs to American 
streets? Pass CAFTA.
  Want to help make sure Al-Qaeda and other foreign terrorist groups 
don't easily utilize the southern border to enter the United States and 
do us harm? Pass CAFTA.
  The reality is, CAFTA has profound implications for not only U.S. 
economic interests, but geo-political and homeland security concerns as 
well. My fear is that we are now so focused on promoting freedom and 
democracy in Iraq that we risk missing a critical and timely 
opportunity to further those causes in our own backyard--all because of 
some misguided but politically compelling opposition rhetoric.
  Take the so-called ``labor concerns,'' for example. I discussed this 
with Salvadoran President Tony Saca, and he chuckled at the illogical 
nature of the criticism. ``We have a profound respect for unions,'' he 
said. ``But if we don't have more jobs, we won't have more unions. 
Because I haven't seen any jobless unions.''
  Saca knows what opponents won't admit: the economic benefits arising 
from CAFTA would significantly increase wealth in El Salvador--wealth 
that will allow Saca to enforce existing, and even implement new, labor 
environmental safeguards.
  Each of the CAFTA nations is unique, but they share traits, including 
an urgent need for investment and jobs. Do we really think there is no 
connection between a lack of economic opportunity in Central America 
and illegal immigration to the U.S.? Or no connection between rising 
gang activity and poverty, underemployment, and broken homes? Our own 
neighborhoods are not insulated from the lack of economic opportunity 
abroad.
  Our best immigration policy is one that strengthens economies south 
of our border.
  For U.S. economic interests, the gains are equally clear: U.S. 
exports to the six nations total about $15 billion a year; that would 
increase by $4 billion in the pact's first year, resulting in a net 
gain of about 25,000 U.S. jobs.
  And, having seen firsthand the growing hostility toward America in 
Venezuela under Hugo Chavez, I can only conclude that American national 
security interests are also at stake with CAFTA. While the collective 
attention of our Nation has been primarily focused on Iraq, a string of 
troubling events has been unraveling in South America.
  Economic collapse in Argentina. Growing instability and leftist 
populism in Bolivia and Ecuador. Chavez consolidating power in oil-rich 
Venezuela, and extending his anti-US influence into the Caribbean and 
across the Andes. Brazil signing huge economic deals with China.
  Meanwhile, the six CAFTA countries comprise some of our most 
reliable, steadfast allies anywhere. El Salvador, to this day, 
maintains hundreds of troops in Iraq in support of the U.S.-led 
mission.
  Some say CAFTA is a move to ship U.S. jobs to Central America; in 
actuality, it offers a path toward importing apparel and other goods 
from Central American allies instead of China.
  The CAFTA countries are dominated not by Chavez-like dictatorships 
with a ``democratic'' face, but by 21st century leaders who realize 
that when people are given a larger economic role in their community, 
they in turn demand a greater role in how that community is governed.
  But this rising democratic tide could be easily turned back unless 
Central Americans see--and see soon--that democracy delivers more than 
promises. The best way to make

[[Page E1661]]

promises a reality for all is to open our doors to trade.
  It may also be the best way to fight some of our biggest societal 
problems here at home.

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