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Administration makes final push for CAFTA


Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to appear at tomorrow’s House Republican Conference meeting as part of the administration’s final push to win approval for the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

The House is expected to vote on the controversial trade pact later this week.

Despite lingering doubts about the vote by some House Republicans, the conference office is expected to organize a number of floor statements and press briefings in support of the trade deal throughout the week as leadership works to secure passage, said conference spokesman Sean Spicer.

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) will appear with Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) to promote the bill later this afternoon.

Talking points on CAFTA will also be included in the recess kits that will be distributed to conference members at the end of this week.

Patrick O’Connor