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.
Spoken like a true cultural elite, globalist elite, urban empty nester.
"Populism = Socialism for brain dead hicks."
Socialism = Catechism for brain dead urbanites
Too classy for the diner & tavern crowd, not classy enough for the Hamptons. I guess you can call me part of the Culturally mediocre.
Globalist elite
Still looking for my invitation to join the Bilderburgers. I guess the USPS lost it (again!). urban empty nester.
Funny, I always thought of myself as being a playboy without the bank account, but I guess you got me on this last part. We can't all be breeders.
Socialism = Catechism for brain dead urbanites
That's why I, as a proud "Cowboy Capitalist Pig," reject both.
But they both gave us the SHAFTA.
Charlie Rangel whining now.
LOL
Spoken like a true cultural elite, globalist elite, urban empty nester.
_________________________________________________________
Don't worry Clemenza...this one liner is used against all logical people who don't wear tin foil hats...and don't expect government through protectionism to bail their low end jobs out for them.
"this one liner is used against all logical people who don't wear tin foil hats...and don't expect government through protectionism to bail their low end jobs out for them."
This is so ham-handed, you've just GOT to be a covert anti-CAFTA-DR agitator.
LOL.
POST OF THE DAY AWARD !!!!
One of many reasons for being upset with the Bush administration and the republicans. Vote constitution party before it is to late.
I would be careful hanging around the anti free trade bunch if I were you. They don't care for Catholics much...or maybe it's just Latino Catholics.
I guess because I'm getting to be an Old Boy.
truth bump!!!
truth bump!!!
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