Bush urges Congress to work together to pass CAFTA
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtm ... ID=8881325
Bush urges Congress to work together to pass CAFTA
Thu Jun 23, 2005 08:09 PM ET
By Sophie Walker
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush formally asked Congress on Thursday to approve a controversial free trade agreement with Central America, setting the stage for a bruising fight with Democrats -- and some fellow Republicans -- over the future of U.S. trade policy.
"The agreement is in our national interest, and I urge the Congress to approve it expeditiously," Bush said in a letter to Congress sent along with implementing legislation for the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA.
Under the 2002 trade act, lawmakers now have 90 legislative days to decide whether to reject or approve the agreement without making any changes. Congress could begin consideration of the pact as early as next week.
CAFTA faces much stronger opposition from Democrats -- and from Republicans with ties to the sugar and textile industry -- than recent trade pacts with Australia, Singapore, Chile and Morocco that won easy approval.
In a show of bipartisan support for CAFTA outside of Congress, Cabinet officials from several previous administrations -- including that of former Democratic President Bill Clinton -- joined Bush at an event to push for approval of the pact with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
"These folks (who) worked at the White House know exactly what I'm talking about. That's why they're standing up here, saying with common voice to the United States Congress, 'Let's get this bill passed,"' Bush said.
"It is time to set aside political differences and focus on this very important trade agreement for the good of our country," Bush said.
CAFTA would lower barriers to U.S. exports to the six countries, while locking in and expanding the preferential access the region already enjoys in the U.S. market.
Most farm and big business groups support the pact, which they expect to boost exports, but other business groups fear it would lead to job losses and sugar producers say it could destroy the U.S. industry.
Most Democrats in the House, and many in the Senate, oppose CAFTA on the grounds that its labor provisions are not strong enough for a region with a poor record on workers' rights.
"Democrats stood ready to work with the Republicans to put together something that promoted American business, that created American jobs, and protected our environment," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, told a news conference.
"Instead, we have this exploitation of workers in Central America and the environment there, and also at the expense of American workers."
The Bush administration argues the provisions are the strongest of any trade agreement yet negotiated and would do more to improve labor conditions in the Central American region than alternatives that Democrats have proposed.
Rejection of CAFTA would damage U.S. ability to negotiate other trade deals in the Western Hemisphere and the rest of the world, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman has said.
Republicans control the House with 231 votes, but many party members from sugar- and textile-producing states are reluctant to support the pact because of possible job losses in those sectors. Opponents say there are 190 Democrats and 40 Republicans in the House who oppose CAFTA.
That would mean the White House is still some way from getting the 218 votes it needs for approval in the House.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but we cleared a major hurdle last week" when key congressional committees gave preliminary approval to the pact, Portman said.
Bush cast the issue in national security terms, arguing it would be good for stability in the hemisphere and reduce immigration from Central America.
"All of us understand that strengthening our economic ties with our democratic neighbors is a vital issue of national importance. All of us urge Congress to pass the agreement because America has an interest in strengthening democracy and advancing prosperity in our hemisphere," he said.
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