[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5630-5631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             OPPOSE THE BUSH COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

  (Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong opposition to the Bush Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Like many 
here, I would like to see our relationship with Colombia strengthened, 
but the NAFTA-style Colombia FTA would actually do more harm than good.
  The Bush administration refuses to change its stubborn ways. By 
deciding to force the trade agreement through Congress without seeking 
support or input from the House leadership, the administration 
continues to demonstrate its lack of judgment and sensibility.

[[Page 5631]]

  Despite many serious concerns about the Colombia Free Trade 
Agreement, this administration continues to believe that it can 
unilaterally demand and approve legislation as it pleases, when it 
pleases. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
  Until the Bush administration understands that it must make 
fundamental changes in its approach to trade, this House will oppose 
its one-sided trade deals. We need trade deals that work for American 
working families. The Bush Colombia FTA is not it.

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