Thread: Governor backs trade bill (Jeb Bush)

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Governor backs trade bill

Legislators get letters urging passage

By Doreen Hemlock
Business Writer
Posted June 4 2005


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Gov. Jeb Bush added his voice Friday to the chorus urging Congress to pass a free trade agreement with the Dominican Republic and five Central American nations.

The governor sent letters to Florida legislators in Washington, backing the accord as a way to expand Florida business, spur economies in neighboring nations and also "help strengthen the democratic process throughout the region, in furtherance of U.S. national security objectives."

The move came as the Bush administration mounts a full-court press for DR-CAFTA, with hopes that Congress will ratify the treaty before its August recess.

In recent days, the administration gained support for DR-CAFTA from at least three major business groups: The National Council of Textile Organizations, National Cotton Council and Florida Citrus Mutual. The groups' executives have pledged to make their support known in Congress.

President Bush has been speaking out more frequently for DR-CAFTA, too, and will push for it Monday in Fort Lauderdale during an address to the Organization of American States general assembly.

DR-CAFTA has "very strategic significance ... to show our continued support for young democracies in Central America ... and to open up markets to American products and producers and farmers," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters Friday in Crawford, Texas.

But opponents also are turning up the volume, with protests planned during the OAS meeting that starts Sunday.

Critics argue the agreement helps shift jobs to lower-wage nations and will worsen the U.S. trade deficit. Some also claim the deal helps big business at the expense of workers and smaller firms, hurting all nations involved.

Rep. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio who is a leading DR-CAFTA critic in the House, estimated earlier this week that 190 Republicans and 50 Democrats would vote against the treaty, if a vote were taken then.

"It is time," Brown said in a statement, " for the president to renegotiate a trade agreement with Central America that will pass Congress."

Doreen Hemlock can be reached at dhemlock@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5009.

I'm shocked Jeb Bush is supporting CAFTA, aren't ya'll??

Just shocked!!



I mean....that's a big family to feed after their terms expire.

Get my drift.....

Originally Posted by Judy

I'm shocked Jeb Bush is supporting CAFTA, aren't ya'll??

Just shocked!!



I mean....that's a big family to feed after their terms expire.

Get my drift.....

Yes, it was such a huge surprise to learn it, I just had to post it here.

Yes and you should!! It complements our RECORD of these dastardly deeds!!