[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          THE HUGO CHAVEZ RULE

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, it pains me greatly to stand here in the 
well and report to our colleagues that the Rules Committee late 
yesterday afternoon reported out what can only be described as the Hugo 
Chavez rule.
  For the first time in the 34-year history of trade promotion 
authority, we have now decided that we are going to take the action of 
turning our backs on an agreement that we have made with our closest, 
most important and strongest ally on the continent of South America.
  The Vice President of Colombia has described this action as a slap in 
the face. Hugo Chavez and the narcoterrorists in Colombia are 
celebrating this action. It is an absolute outrage that we would do 
this.
  I have to say that this administration 4 years ago embarked on these 
negotiations, 2 years ago completed the negotiations, a year and a half 
ago signed the negotiations. Since August of last year, 265 meetings 
have been held with Democratic Members by members of the 
administration, cabinet officials and all, and 27 meetings have been 
held with the Democratic leadership.
  It is time for us to complete this work. It's time for us to 
strengthen this very important alliance.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``no'' on the 
Hugo Chavez rule.

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