[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E656-E657]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, last week's unprecedented vote to change 
the rules and delay considering the Colombia Free Trade Agreement was 
one of the most disappointing moments I have had as a Member of the 
House of Representatives.
  I was disappointed that the Majority would so blatantly play 
election-year politics and cater to special interests at the expense of 
good economic policy.
  I was disappointed that my Democratic colleagues in Washington 
State--the most trade-dependent State in the Nation--rejected my call 
for a united delegation effort to bring the FTA to the floor, and 
instead followed the Speaker at the expense of our region's needs. With 
our economy lagging, and in light of how important this agreement is to 
large employers in our State like Boeing and Microsoft, I cannot 
understand the thinking behind their position.
  But more than anything, I was disappointed that the House was denied 
the opportunity to consider a trade measure of critical importance to 
our economy and to our workers.
  I traveled to Colombia two weeks ago to see firsthand the progress 
the country is making, and it is remarkable. I met with union members 
who support and union members who oppose it. And let me say a word 
about that: The unions who oppose the FTA represent workers who are 
unaffected by it. The

[[Page E657]]

unions who support the agreement are those whose workers will be 
affected. Let me repeat that: The unions in Colombia that will be 
affected by this trade agreement support it.
  I also met with President Uribe, the Attorney General, and disarmed 
paramilitary combatants. I saw the broad support from the Colombian 
people for this agreement and the progress the country has made to 
protect and promote human rights. I returned even more convinced that 
we must pass this agreement to grow our economy, create jobs, and 
support a strategic ally.
  The Colombia FTA would grow our economy by opening new markets for 
American businesses and farmers while bringing fairness to our existing 
trade relationship. Virtually all of Colombian goods enter America 
duty-free, while American goods face tariffs. With so many jobs tied to 
trade in Washington, common sense says we must level the playing field.
  The FTA will also support democracy in an unstable region. It's 
imperative for Americans to view free trade agreements not just as a 
mutual economic benefit, but also as a core component of our country's 
diplomacy and security. Colombia stands tall as a beacon of democracy 
in the face of Hugo Chavez's anti-American policies. And Colombia 
remains a key ally in efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. What 
message does it send to our allies around the world if we ask so much 
of them, then turn our backs on them at a crucial moment? Why do so 
many Members come down here to talk about working together with other 
countries in foreign policy, but do not want to do so in trade? Trade 
is foreign policy.
  Delaying the Colombia FTA signals to our allies that America is 
closed for trade, and encourages our rivals to exploit new markets. It 
also derails the consideration of other pending trade agreements like 
one with Korea, Washington State's fourth largest trading partner. This 
is absolutely the wrong message to send in this time of economic 
uncertainty.
  Regardless of your views of the FTA, the House deserves to debate it 
under the rules of consideration this chamber agreed to when it 
approved trade promotion authority. Let's stop playing political games 
that cater to special interests, and let's start working together, as 
Democrats and Republicans, to pass the trade measures that are 
important to our economy and our workers.

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