Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

In Bush Win, House Narrowly Approves CAFTA
Associated Press ^ | July 27, 2005 | JIM ABRAMS

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.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: cafta; gatt; nafta
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 821-836 next last
The freer the markets the freer the people!
1 posted on 07/27/2005 9:14:47 PM PDT by RWR8189
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

Agree.


2 posted on 07/27/2005 9:15:36 PM PDT by jbstrick (insert clever tagline here)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
The freer the markets the freer the people!

My thoughts exactly.
3 posted on 07/27/2005 9:15:53 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative (Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

Time to go fill out a job application at WalMart, if they're still hiring Americans...


4 posted on 07/27/2005 9:16:24 PM PDT by DTogo (U.S. out of the U.N. & U.N out of the U.S.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

A great win for those who like low taxes!


5 posted on 07/27/2005 9:20:56 PM PDT by SolidSupplySide
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

I just wish that free trade didn't come with quasi governmental organizations that suddenly get power over the American people.


6 posted on 07/27/2005 9:21:20 PM PDT by kingu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
Another step forward for economic freedom.
7 posted on 07/27/2005 9:22:00 PM PDT by Moral Hazard ("I believe the children are the future" - Whitney Houston; "Fight the future" - X-files)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO >:(


8 posted on 07/27/2005 9:22:58 PM PDT by spyderbarque
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
The New World Order wins another one behind the "leadership" of the President of the United States Federation of North American States.
9 posted on 07/27/2005 9:24:04 PM PDT by F16Fighter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

Take that AFL-CIO! Marxism always loses to Capitalism.


10 posted on 07/27/2005 9:24:06 PM PDT by LenS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
"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.

Horsecrap, Brady. As if we make anything that your new "customers" can afford.

ESAD

11 posted on 07/27/2005 9:25:12 PM PDT by Willie Green (Some people march to a different drummer - and some people polka)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189

Say goodbye to the middle class.


12 posted on 07/27/2005 9:26:13 PM PDT by Nachum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
Great.

A blow to sovereignty is somehow a 'win' in the eyes of 'conservatives.'

But not to real conservatives.

13 posted on 07/27/2005 9:27:30 PM PDT by Diplomacy.308 (Often, talking is a waste of breath. Sometimes 'diplomacy' requires harsh action.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: Diplomacy.308

BTTT


15 posted on 07/27/2005 9:30:55 PM PDT by afnamvet (Jet noise...The Sound of Freedom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189; Mase; 1rudeboy; Willie Green; hedgetrimmer; expat_panama
Haha.
16 posted on 07/27/2005 9:31:51 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F16Fighter
>>The New World Order wins another one behind the "leadership" of the President of the United States Federation of North American States.<< What you said.

Like the invasion of cheap labor into our country, only a few will benefit from this open, free trade cabal.

Listen closely, you can hear the crystal glasses clanging.

17 posted on 07/27/2005 9:32:07 PM PDT by Black Tooth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
NAFTA has proved to be a disaster for our country. CAFTA may prove to be deadly.
18 posted on 07/27/2005 9:32:17 PM PDT by upchuck ("If our nation be destroyed, it would be from the judiciary." ~ Thomas Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RWR8189
Win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win.......etc.

What a "moron".
19 posted on 07/27/2005 9:33:58 PM PDT by eddie willers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: upchuck
NAFTA has proved to be a disaster for our country.

That's right. 21 million new jobs and higher real wages. Save us from more good stuff like that. LOL!!!

20 posted on 07/27/2005 9:33:58 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 821-836 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson