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Vitter: CAFTA fight 'tough and ugly'

Citizen staff report

U.S. Sen. David Vitter said that the battle he and other CAFTA opponents are waging in the U.S. House is "tough and ugly." He notes that the carrots and sticks being used by the Bush Administration to try to pass it create "enormous pressure."

"I'm not giving up by any means - I walk over to the House Chamber to lobby friends there against CAFTA almost daily. But the pressure being applied by the administration is enormous - really unlike anything I've ever seen," said Vitter.

Vitter said that funding for specific projects in the Highway Bill is clearly being used both to buy votes for CAFTA and to punish opponents.

"It's getting ugly in terms of the use and abuse of the Highway Bill. It really is very disappointing," Vitter said.

The U.S. Senate passed CAFTA 54-45 on June 30, with Vitter voting against it. A House vote is expected on Wednesday.