Posted on 07/27/2005 9:14:44 PM PDT by RWR8189
WASHINGTON - The House narrowly approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement early Thursday, a personal triumph for President Bush, who campaigned aggressively for the accord he said would foster prosperity and democracy in the hemisphere.
The 217-215 vote just after midnight adds six Latin American countries to the growing lists of nations with free trade agreements with the United States and averts what could have been a major political embarrassment for the Bush administration.
It was an uphill effort to win a majority, with Bush traveling to Capitol Hill earlier in the day to appeal to wavering Republicans to support a deal he said was critical to U.S. national security.
Lobbying continued right up to the vote, with Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman (news, bio, voting record) and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez tracking undecided lawmakers.
The United States signed the accord, known as CAFTA, a year ago with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and the Senate approved it last month. It now goes to the president for his signature.
To capture a majority, supporters had to overcome what some have called free trade fatigue, a growing sentiment that free trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada have contributed to a loss of well-paying American jobs and the soaring trade deficit.
Democrats, who were overwhelmingly against CAFTA, also argued that its labor rights provisions were weak and would result in exploitation of workers in Central America.
But supporters pointed out that CAFTA would over time eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers that impede U.S. sales to the region, correcting the current situation in which 80 percent of Central American goods enter the United States duty-free but Americans must pay heavy tariffs.
The agreement would also strengthen intellectual property protections and make it easier for Americans to invest in the region.
"This is a test of American leadership in a changing world," said Rep. Kevin Brady (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, a leading proponent of the agreement. "We cannot claim to be fighting for American jobs and yet turn our backs on 44 million new customers in Central America.
Yeah, I say Wal-Marts commercial of the 55 year old woman, telling everyone how proud she is to work at Wal-Mart.
I personally can't believe what I am seeing and hearing.
I for one welcome our new free-trade overlords. C',mon, this is gonna be great! I mean there's sooo much in this bill that can benefit all of us (non-citixens).
The choice was CAFTA or give Central America to China.
Anybody who doesn't understand that needs to learn about the inroads China is making in the countries below our border.
They understand long-term strategic thinking and chess.
This is not free trade
It appoints an extra-soverign body to oversee trade!
Bye bye United States of America...
...hello Americas.
I "SAW"...
You mean Whigs.
BUMP! Exactly right, patriciaruth.
So, you'd rather have them immigrate here illegally looking for jobs, instead of working and producing in their home country? Every human on this earth wants to better himself, and most want to do it in their own country. The only reason they try to move here is because we offer freedom and liberty, something their countries currently don't offer, it's God given right to every human. Is that a bad thing? Your family came here from somewhere, but that was Ok then.
Said the economically ignorant...
If it created soooo many new jobs, why is our trade deficit with Mexico worse than before?
Well stated and I agree with your comments!
Why is it that all the people who complain about Wal-Mart are people who don't work there?
If it was so bad for us, why are we doing so well?
please note the burned cross in your front yard that you should expect to see obligitory for being pinned a pro-walmarter is in the process of being approved in subcommittee. thank you and shop union. if not, we will come and attack you and take away everything you own and give it to the people. after subcommittee vote of course. thank you. /sarcasm
I guess after we create 10 million more jobs you will point to CAFTA and shriek, "Bush's fault!!!"
Yes they did.
Legally.
"Horsecrap, Brady. As if we make anything that your new "customers" can afford."
Exactly. NAFTA was a badly negotiated deal that was sold as a job creator for our country. All it did was send the trade deficit with Mexico through the roof while U.S. companies bolted south for cheap labor. Maybe, just maybe, one day the American people will tire of being sold out by congress.
Yes, unions have lost a lot of power, and our manufacturing sector needs a savvy rethink, not just a knee-jerk complaint; but our unemployment is lower than when NAFTA was passed and the percent of people owning their own homes is higher than it has ever been, so I can't agree with the word "disaster."
There is no such thing as a "trade deficit".
You flunk Walter Williams class....or as the British now say...you have received a "Deferred Success" on your paper.
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