Thread: Portman urges Congress to set date for CAFTA vote (NEWSFLASH

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18642228.htm

Portman urges Congress to set date for CAFTA vote
18 May 2005 21:53:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Portman on Wednesday urged Congress to set a date for a vote on a free-trade pact with Central American countries.

Portman and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez met at the White House with farming and business groups to talk about the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA.

"We talked about the importance of setting a date for the vote. I believe we're getting closer to that point," Portman told reporters.

Advocates of the free trade pact had once hoped for congressional approval by the end of May. But with that date approaching, key congressional committees still have not acted on the agreement and a vote now is not expected until this summer.

CAFTA has weak support among congressional Democrats, many of whom fear it does not do enough to require that Central American countries meet labor and environmental standards.

CAFTA doesn't do anything except take jobs and investment out of America. Proponents claim it will add $2 Billion a year to the current $15 Billion a year in American exports. But this assume no company closes its plant and relocates to one of the countries in CAFTA. The President claims it will improve jobs and generate nvestment for the CAFTA countries.....duh.......that means our companies will be creating jobs there instead of here and making investment there instead of here....so....there wen't the $2 Billion and more likely as with NAFTA....they will close plants in the USA, make the products there and ship them back to the USA....so....there goes a good portion of the $15 Billion.

We've been there, DONE THAT!!

You can fool us once, but not twice.

SAY NO TO CAFTA!!!

In addition, there are "free flow of goods and labor" provisions and....we KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS OPEN BORDERS WITH MANY COUNTRIES...I think it's 25 in the CAFTA.

IT"S WORSE THAN NAFTA!!

SAY NO TO CAFTA and DO Whatever It Takes to Kill This Trade Agreement.