[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17916]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      EXTENDING THE AUTHORITIES OF THE ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE ACT

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to H.R. 1830.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1830) to extend the authorities of the Andean 
     Trade Preference Act until February 29, 2008.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today, the Senate has taken an important 
step in our relationship with Latin America. Following House action 
last night, the Senate unanimously approved an 8-month extension of the 
Andean Trade Preference Act, ATPA. Our action today prevents these key 
trade preferences from expiring abruptly this weekend. More 
importantly, it underscores the value that United States places on 
strong economic engagement with our partners in the Andean region.
  The Andean Trade Preference Act provides duty-free access to certain 
products from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. These preferences 
ensure that hundreds of thousands of workers in these countries can 
find legal and meaningful employment in their own countries--workers 
who might otherwise find jobs in coca fields or in other illicit 
industries. By doing so, the Andean trade preferences enable the United 
States to continue to promote economic and political stability in a key 
region of Latin America.
  ATPA and other preference programs are not a one-way street. I hear 
repeatedly from American businesses and consumers how these preference 
programs benefit the United States. Specifically, ATPA provides 
numerous U.S. companies with a source of high-quality, duty-free inputs 
for their products. American companies then pass these benefits on to 
American consumers in the form of lower costs and greater product 
diversity.
  While I welcome this extension, I do not wish to minimize legitimate 
concerns that some of my colleagues have about the program, especially 
those relating to protection of U.S. investment. ATPA provides a 
framework for addressing these concerns and finding the solutions. To 
benefit from these preferences, beneficiary countries must protect 
foreign investment. They must afford worker rights. They must uphold 
key intellectual property rights. And they must meet counternarcotics 
requirements. Because of these provisions, ATPA is one of the best 
diplomatic tools America has in Latin America.
  Today we took an important step in passing an 8-month extension of 
ATPA. But 8 months is not a lasting solution. Rather, it is a stepping 
stone toward a possible longer term extension for ATPA beneficiaries, 
as circumstances warrant. Eight months from now, some countries may 
still need these preferences; others may not. During the time, I will 
closely monitor whether ATPA beneficiary countries live up to their end 
of the bargain and abide by the requirements of the program. If they 
do, I will work hard to secure a longer extension. The United States 
and the Andean region will be better for it.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, before I ask this be completed, I am glad 
this is being done. I am disappointed it is only until the end of 
February.
  I traveled to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. This is so important to 
those countries. I am glad we will get it extended. It would have 
expired at the end of this month. It will not expire now. I hope by 
next February we can have a multiyear extension. I have spoken to 
Senators Grassley and Baucus. I hope that is the case.
  I ask unanimous consent the bill be read three times and passed, the 
motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 1830) was ordered to be read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed.

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