Posted on 07/27/2005 10:42:51 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush urged Republican hold outs on Wednesday to back a controversial free trade agreement with Central America, and party leaders predicted he would win but only after a tough fight for votes.
"The president reminded us that we come here not only to represent our district but to represent the nation," House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay told reporters after a Capitol Hill meeting between Bush and House Republicans, many of whom have opposed it on the grounds that it will hurt industries in their regions. "It will be a tough vote but we'll pass CAFTA tonight," the Texas Republican said. "We will honor our commitments to the south, we will protect our national security and will do it all with very few Democrats."
The long-awaited vote would end months of uncertainty about the fate of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, which lowers trade barriers between the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
The White House has a harder time rounding up votes for CAFTA than for any other recent trade pact because of stiff opposition from many Republicans in textile and sugar-producing states who fear it will cause job losses.
In addition, most Democrats oppose CAFTA on the grounds that its labor provisions are not tough enough for a region with a poor record on workers' rights. The White House says the labor provisions are stronger than any previous trade agreement and consistent with guidelines Congress set in 2002.
Bush appealed to House Republicans to put aside any "parochial interests" they might have about CAFTA and look at the broader benefits of the pact to the United States and the six other countries, DeLay said.
"It is good for our national security in supporting these fledging democracies at our back door. It is good in our effort against illegal immigration. It is good for our economy," DeLay said.
DeLay said Republicans would gavel the CAFTA vote to a close "when we get 218," the number of votes needed for approval. Republican leaders have angered Democrats in the past by holding votes open until they finally pressure enough party members to vote the way the leadership wants.
CHINA TRADE VOTE
Several Republicans from the textile states of South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia are expected to support CAFTA after reaching a deal with Republican leaders and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to address specific concerns.
However, many Republicans from North Carolina -- which has experienced heavy textile job losses -- have remained opposed.
The Bush administration also has made promises aimed at reducing sugar industry opposition to the pact, but many Republicans from sugar-producing states such as Louisiana, Florida, Montana and Idaho continue to have concerns.
The vote on CAFTA will be proceeded by a vote on Republican bill aimed at addressing a number of trade issues with China. House leaders expect to pick up the support of some Republicans in industrial states like Pennsylvania with that bill.
Only six Democrats have publicly announced their support for CAFTA. Portman told Reuters he remained hopeful that many more would vote for it in the end, but declined to give any estimate.
Portman said he had just come from a meeting with three undecided Democrats and they had refused to tell him on they planned to vote on CAFTA.
What time is the vote expected?
I'd like to know what a bunch of people in central america with no money are going to buy from the US.
CHINA TRADE VOTE
Several Republicans from the textile states of South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia are expected to support CAFTA after reaching a deal with Republican leaders and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to address specific concerns.
However, many Republicans from North Carolina -- which has experienced heavy textile job losses -- have remained opposed.
Today, I've found the nerve to speak out against CAFTA-DR. I will simply say, BOHICA.
The vote is tonight . .
============================
Where They Stand on CAFTA as of July 26th
Question: How do House members intend to vote on the
Central America Free Trade Agreement when it comes to the floor?
|
Changes from July 19th report marked in red. |
|
REPUBLICANS |
"However, many Republicans from North Carolina -- which has experienced heavy textile job losses -- have remained opposed."
Try all of them with the peculiar exception of Sue Myrick, who apparently has no future political plans.
CAFTA: stepping stone to world government. That's what it all boils down to.
=============================================
"The president reminded us that we come here not only to represent our district but to represent the nation," House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay told reporters after a Capitol Hill meeting between Bush and House Republicans, many of whom have opposed it on the grounds that it will hurt industries in their regions."It will be a tough vote but we'll pass CAFTA tonight," the Texas Republican said. "We will honor our commitments to the south, we will protect our national security and will do it all with very few Democrats."
Say one word:
Bravo Sierra!
If Mexico wants us to keep buying things, they better start making some cooler stuff.
Related thread:
CAFTA Guts All "Buy American" Laws: A New Green Light for Outsourcing
Washington, DC – "Buy American" laws and similar state and federal legislation would be gutted by CAFTA procurement rules that prohibit all laws that give a preference to domestic or local businesses according to U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, who says CAFTA Article 9 overturns every state and federal law that requires federal, state, and local government agencies to buy American products, or use American workforces.
SNIP
Norwood says Article 9 is just one more glaring example of CAFTA attempts to overthrow Americans' ability to govern themselves. "At every turn, this bill seeks to wipe out American law, in favor of CAFTA and other world trade agreement rules. This Article makes it crystal clear that CAFTA is more than a trade agreement – it is a treaty, and should be rejected."
Once again the GOP sells out America, and the American working family. More jobs going south, more cheap job stealing imports, headed our way. THe GOP will not be happy until every last good paying job has left the country.
I just got off the phone with Congressman Delays office.
I told the person who answered the phone, that I wanted to know how Delay could be pushing to pass this bill when the majority of Americans oppose it on the grounds that 1. it usurps the authority of Congress, they can only vote yes or no, but not change the agreement even though the American people know it has bad stuff in it.
and
2. It is written by a Trade representative, an office created unconstitutionally when the WTO was created and deprives the American people of elected representation in trade.
3. That it would create a "free trade" council of the unelected to give away our tax money in secret meetings for trade capacity building in CAFTA countries, again depriving the American people of their right to elected representation and public scrutiny of government.
I asked how the Congressman could support this bill without even going into the details konwing that the American people understand the bill to be unconstitutional.
He said " I can't answer that". Talk to the press secretary.
The press secretary passed me onto someone on staff I think named Phyllis because she couldn't answer why Delay was supporting the bill. The staff member hung up on me.
I called back and nicely asked for a member of Delays staff.
This person said, I don't have time to explain it to you. He said that others had called to voice their opposition. I asked, why were they opposed? This is another question he wouldn't answer. He refused to tell me why other Americans might oppose it or why delay supports it.
Does that answer any questions you might have about Washington these days?
If you have time or inclination, please call Delays office and voice your opinion.
202.225.5951
Untrue. When someone suggests having jobs like CEO or Wall Street Journal editorial writer filled by qualified folks from the Third World, then we might see some action.
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