[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 190 (Tuesday, December 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E3005-E3006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2009

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on 
H.R. 4284, a bill that would increase our trade deficit, compromise our 
labor laws, and delay a much-needed reform to our nation's trade 
policy.
  Since the last extension, in October 2008, Congress has still not 
adequately addressed the fundamental problems in relation to 
agriculture and labor practices in this trade preference agreement.
  With the on-going debate surrounding the Colombia Free Trade 
Agreement and the South Korea Free Trade Agreement, and the sharp 
economic recession, it would be irresponsible to simply extend these 
preferences without thorough discussions on the effects of our trade 
policy on American jobs.
  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 and it has 
harmed American farmers.
  As a result of the ATPA, the U.S. had a $7 billion trade deficit with 
the four ATPA countries in 2008.
  Overall, the U.S. trade deficit has grown to more than $738 billion 
and trade policies have cost America 3.2 million manufacturing jobs 
over the past 10 years.
  Because both the Bush and Obama administrations deemed that Bolivia 
failed to meet eligibility criteria, H.R. 4284 would extend trade 
preferences only with Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
  Before extending the Andean Trade Preferences Act for a fourth time, 
Congress should take 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.
  Among the great economic challenges our nation faces is creating new 
trade and globalization policies that serve America's workers, 
consumers, farmers, and firms.
  The Obama administration and Congress have an opportunity to rewrite 
our trade policy and to create a trade framework that supports American 
jobs.
  Let's seize this opportunity to create a new framework for trade 
agreements.
  New trade agreements must meet basic standards to protect labor 
rights, environmental standards, food safety regulations, financial 
regulations, and taxation transparency.
  Most importantly, new trade agreements must protect American workers 
first.
  I urge you to vote against H.R. 4284 when it comes to the House floor 
today so that we can focus on reforming America's trade laws.

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