[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E288-E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, on February 27, 2008 the U.S. House of 
Representatives agreed to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5264 by voice 
vote. Had I been given the opportunity to vote on this measure I would 
have voted ``no'' on H.R. 5264, the Trade Preference Extension Act of 
2008.
  In fact, prior to the voice vote on H.R. 5264, I sent a Dear 
Colleague with Representatives Dale Kildee and Marcy Kaptur to all 
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging our colleagues to 
vote against extending the Andean Trade Preference Act.
  The Trade Preference Extension Act of 2008 extends the Andean Trade 
Preference Act for another 10 months. Since the last extension, 8 
months ago, Congress has still not adequately addressed fundamental 
problems of labor practices in the region and the agreement's effect on 
U.S. agriculture. Furthermore, with the on-going debate surrounding the 
Colombia Free Trade Agreement it is irresponsible to simply extend 
these preferences without thorough discussions.
  Originally passed in 1991, the Andean Trade Preference Act, ATPA, was 
designed to develop economic alternates to narcotics production in 
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. However, ATPA has failed to 
reduce cocaine production, but it has harmed American farmers.
  In both Colombia and Peru, the size and production of illegal drug 
crops has remained virtually unchanged. In a 2001 report to Congress, 
the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service said that they ``do not believe 
that Peruvian asparagus production provides an alternative

[[Page E289]]

economic opportunity for coca producers and workers--the stated purpose 
of the Act.''
  As a result of the ATPA, the U.S. had a $10 billion trade deficit 
with the four ATPA countries in 2006. Specifically, the asparagus and 
fresh-cut flower industries have been severely hurt by lower prices. 
Since the implementation of ATPA, asparagus acreage in the United 
States dropped from 90,000 acres in 1991 to under 49,000 acres in 2006.
  There are 40,000 flower workers in Ecuador and over 100,000 in 
Colombia working to grow, harvest, and package flowers. Unfortunately, 
these workers routinely experience labor rights violations including 
violations of the right to freedom of association. H.R. 5264 does not 
include stronger labor provisions.
  Before agreeing to extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act for a 
third time, Congress should have taken a closer look at damage it has 
done to American farmers and how it has failed to reduce illegal drug 
production in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

                          ____________________