[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF PROCEDURE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, we will, indeed, be saying goodbye to 
our friend and colleague, Trent Lott, over the next few weeks. Senator 
Reid and I will work out a time certain for tributes to Senator Lott 
and his extraordinary career sometime between now and the end of this 
session.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Republican time in the morning 
business coming up be divided equally between Senators Bond, Kyl, and 
Cornyn, in that order.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement 
Implementation Act represents new opportunities. It is an opportunity 
to strengthen America's economic growth and it is an opportunity to 
forge a stronger relationship with a key ally in an important region of 
the world.
  We already know that trade agreements with countries help grow this 
economy through increased exports, which translate to more new jobs for 
many American workers. They also create lower prices and more choices 
for the consumer.
  This bill will do all of that by leveling the playing field for 
American exporters and producers. As recently as 2006, 98 percent of 
Peruvian exports to America entered this country duty-free. But because 
of high tariffs, American exporters have not had anywhere near 
equivalent access to Peru's markets.
  When this agreement enters into force, 80 percent of American 
consumer and industrial exports to Peru will be duty-free immediately. 
That is a tremendous benefit to thousands of American businesses, and 
millions of American workers.
  For my home State of Kentucky, this bill will do a lot of good as 
well. Exports to world markets mean a lot to my State--Kentucky's 
export shipments of merchandise in 2006 accounted for $17.2 billion, 
including $16.3 million worth of goods to Peru. Almost 16 percent of 
Kentucky manufacturing workers depend on exports for their jobs.
  New markets for Kentucky's transportation equipment manufacturers, 
chemical manufacturers, and machinery manufacturers will open up 
because of this bill, as will markets for Kentucky's many agricultural 
products.
  By way of a comparison, 3 years after Congress approved a similar 
trade deal with Singapore, Kentucky exports to Singapore have grown 68 
percent. Kentucky and America can reap similar rewards again in a new, 
more fruitful partnership with Peru by passing this bill.
  Peru stands to gain as well. Greater ties to America can only help 
strengthen security and stability in that country, a key ally in the 
Western Hemisphere.
  It is critical for America to remain engaged in that part of the 
world, and it is vitally important for us to build strong ties with 
countries that have made a commitment to freedom and democracy. Peru is 
just such an ally.
  I thank my good friend, the senior Senator from Iowa, for his 
important work on this bill. Thanks to Senator Grassley, we are soon 
about to vote on final passage.
  I also want to echo his concerns about the current state of our trade 
policy. Earlier this year, Democrats and Republicans came to an 
agreement on trade--in return for concessions on matters such as 
overseas labor issues, House Democrats would move several free trade 
agreements.
  So far, today's Peru agreement is all we have. We haven't seen any 
positive movement on free trade agreements with Colombia or Panama. Let 
me just say with regard to Colombia, it is our most important ally in 
South America. It is embarrassing that we have not approved the free 
trade agreement with Colombia. Once the issue of beef is addressed with 
respect to South Korea, I hope we can see that agreement move along as 
well.
  I am disappointed the other Chamber hasn't been able to pass these 
agreements more quickly. We know they will strengthen our economy and 
we know they will strengthen our bonds with some very important allies.
  Again, going back to Colombia in particular, it has been making great 
strides to combat the drug trade that ravages so much of that country, 
and has done much to cut down on the flow of illegal drugs to the 
United States. Why can't we move faster and show good faith with this 
ally?
  I hope the successful vote for passage we are about to have will pave 
the way for more in the very near future. These trade agreements are 
good for the American people, and good for our allies around the world, 
and we ought to enact them soon. I yield the floor.

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