[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

[[Page 1626]]

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.