    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 28, 1993]
    [Pages 1625-1626]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the North American Free Trade
    Agreement
    September 28, 1993

    Dear Mr. Leader:
        My Administration is now making the final preparations for
    submitting to the Congress the North American Free Trade Agreement
    (NAFTA). Over the next several weeks Administration officials will sit
    down with Congressional Committees and their staffs to hammer out the
    details of implementing legislation. Let me indicate to you what I
    regard as a reasonable approach to Congressional consideration of this

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    historic agreement, in hopes that we can arrive at a mutually agreed
    procedure for such action.
        I believe strongly that the NAFTA is a good deal for the United
    States that warrants approval. It will benefit our country, increasing
    jobs and economic growth for Americans and enhancing our overall
    competitiveness. The NAFTA, strengthened by the agreements we have
    recently reached with Mexico and Canada on the environment, labor and
    import surges also will help to resolve problems that have existed in
    our relationship with Mexico. I know you share my support for this
    historic agreement.
        As you know, in order for these agreements to take effect as
    scheduled on January 1, 1994, the NAFTA must be approved and implemented
    by Congress in accordance with procedures set out in our trade laws--the
    so-called ``fast-track'' procedures. These same procedures have worked
    successfully to approve and implement the results of multinational trade
    negotiations in 1979 and our bilateral free trade agreement with Canada
    in 1988. The practice has been for Congress and the executive branch to
    work closely together to develop a mutually satisfactory implementing
    bill before the President formally sends that bill to Congress. Working
    together in that way before introduction of the bills has resulted in
    rapid and overwhelming approval of the bills once introduced.
        My administration is committed to the same process. We intend for
    the drafting of the implementing legislation to be a cooperative effort
    between the Administration and the Congress, in keeping with past
    practice. I cannot guarantee to be bound by legislation that is not yet
    drafted, just as you cannot commit the Congress to approve it. I can
    promise, however, that I will work closely with the Congress to draft
    legislation that best meets our mutual objectives.
        I want to emphasize my strong belief that this bill should be voted
    on before Congress adjourns in 1993. For that to happen, I believe it is
    important that we conclude the joint drafting process with all
    Congressional Committees of jurisdiction by November 1, 1993, so that I
    may submit the legislation at that time. I would appreciate your efforts
    to enlist the cooperation of those Committees in achieving this
    timetable.
        In the past, there has been a Congressional commitment to a vote
    prior to adjournment. I strongly believe that a similar commitment is
    called for and vital in this instance, so that this important matter can
    be decided this year. The national and congressional debate over NAFTA
    has already been long and, regrettably, rancorous.
        By working together, I believe we can achieve a truly mutually
    satisfactory bill that will meet our obligations and enable Americans to
    take full advantage of the opportunities opened by these historic
    agreements. I greatly appreciate your efforts to this end.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

     Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives; Robert H. Michel, House Minority Leader;
    George J. Mitchell, Senate Majority Leader; and Robert Dole, Senate
    Minority Leader. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 29.