[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H3058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




FAILURE TO PASS THE COLOMBIA TRADE AGREEMENT HAS INCREASED THE COST OF 
                  U.S. EXPORTS BY MORE THAN $1 BILLION

  (Mr. WELLER of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask this 
House, why do we continue to punish Illinois and U.S. manufacturers and 
farmers?
  In the 531 days since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement was 
signed, U.S. products exported to Colombia have suffered over $1 
billion in taxes and tariffs because they were exported to the United 
States through Colombia. And during that period of time, Colombian 
products entering the United States come in duty free. That doesn't 
seem fair.
  We have an agreement with Colombia to eliminate those tariffs, and 
every day we delay it costs almost $190 million a week in higher 
tariffs on U.S.-made products.
  The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is good for States like 
Illinois. I represent a State that's dependent on exports. Our biggest 
product we produce in the district I represent, we have 8,000 union 
workers who produce yellow bulldozers and construction equipment, 
something that's common and in need in places like Colombia.
  Let's be competitive. Let's eliminate those tariffs. Let's bring up 
for a vote the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

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