[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RELATING TO THE CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5724, UNITED STATES-COLOMBIA 
              TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the passage of 
H. Res. 1092, a resolution designed to block consideration of the U.S.-
Colombia Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  This resolution will more than likely prevent the U.S.-Colombia Free 
Trade Agreement from receiving an up-or-down vote during the 110th 
Congress. I believe we should have an open and fair debate on every 
free trade agreement. The normal process established by law in which 
free trade agreements are considered allows Members of Congress 
opportunities to raise concerns regarding free trade that they heard 
from their constituents.
  I disagree with the decision by the President to send this agreement 
to Congress without the necessary consent of both the House and Senate. 
However. I am concerned the passage of H. Res. 1092, which suspends the 
60-day time line for a House floor vote on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade 
Agreement, will only serve to deepen the already existing partisan 
divide in Washington.
  Along with my fellow colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
I closely weigh the potential costs and benefits of each free trade 
agreement the President negotiates. Furthermore, I believe in order for 
these agreements to be evaluated thoroughly, they must be considered by 
the normal process established by law. The resolution adopted today 
undercuts this process.
  Mr. Speaker, it is for these reasons I voted against H. Res. 1092 
along with 195 of my colleagues. I hope in the coming months Members of 
the House and Senate will have the opportunity to debate and assess the 
potential value of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

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