"The U.S.-Colombia FTA Should Be Considered By Congress On Its Merits"

"In These Times Of Economic Uncertainty, The Last Thing We Should Do Is Reject A Deal That Advantages American Workers And Firms"

Speaker Pelosi's "Objections Had Nothing To Do With The Evidence And Everything To Do With Politics"

The Wall Street Journal: "The Democratic Party's protectionist make-over was completed yesterday, when Nancy Pelosi decided to kill the Colombia free trade agreement." "Her objections had nothing to do with the evidence and everything to do with politics, but this was an act of particular bad faith. It will damage the economic and security interests of the U.S. while trashing our best ally in Latin America." (Editorial, "Pelosi's Bad Faith," The Wall Street Journal, 4/10/08)

Ø "No one is going to take the U.S. at its word if Congress is going to change the rules when it has second thoughts and renege." "For good measure, the double-cross dismantles the only process that allows any Administration to conduct good-faith negotiations with foreign nations."

The Washington Post: "Economically, it should be a no-brainer – especially at a time of rising U.S. joblessness." "At the moment, Colombian exports to the United States already enjoy preferences. The trade agreement would make those permanent, but it would also give U.S. firms free access to Colombia for the first time, thus creating U.S. jobs. Politically, too, the agreement is in the American interest, as a reward to a friendly, democratic government that has made tremendous strides on human rights." (Editorial, "Drop Dead, Colombia," The Washington Post, 4/10/08)

The Washington Times: "[T]he trade pact effectively levels the playing field by providing much greater benefits to U.S. exporters, which face high tariffs, than it gives to Colombia, whose products already arrive in the United States with very few restrictions." "[W]ith an expanding economy and a population of 44 million, Colombia has South America's second-largest number of consumers whose demand for unrestricted U.S. industrial, farm and consumer products offers great potential for U.S. firms and workers." (Editorial, "Yes To Free Trade," The Washington Times, 4/10/08)

Las Vegas Review Journal: "Free trade makes nations prosperous; trade restrictions allow the creation of artificial monopolies which drive up consumer prices." "The great historical example is the United States itself – a nation prosperous largely because no tariffs restrict the free flow of goods and services across state borders. Because we can freely export our mineral wealth to the eastern states – and freely import goods manufactured with those minerals – labor is divided, economies of scale apply, and everyone prospers. Imagine what it would cost to buy a car or refrigerator if we were restricted to buying only those manufactured in Nevada." (Editorial, "Colombia Trade Deal," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 4/9/08)

The Baltimore Sun: "If the United States fails to lower trade barriers with Colombia, South Korea and other countries with deals now pending, the European Union, China and others will." "Trade barriers are a futile exercise in a global market that continues to push work to the lowest-wage countries." (Editorial, "Yes To Free Trade," The Baltimore Sun, 4/9/08)

"In These Times Of Economic Uncertainty, The Last Thing We Should Do Is Reject A Deal That Advantages American Workers And Firms"

National Association of Manufacturers Executive Vice President Jay Timmons: "The NAM is extremely concerned that removing the 90-day timetable for action on the agreement will not only prevent timely and fair consideration of the U.S.-Colombia agreement, but will also fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of the Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority process." "If this process is undermined in such a manner, the ability of the United States to enter or complete trade agreements with other countries will be severely compromised, both now and in the future." (Jay Timmons, "NAM Key Vote Letter On Consideration Of H.R. 5724, The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement," Press Release, 4/10/08)

National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch: "The U.S.-Colombia FTA should be considered by Congress on its merits." "NFTC members employ tens of thousands of American workers whose livelihoods depend on the Administration and Congress working through their differences to open new markets for American goods and services and to develop an American workforce well equipped to succeed in the global economy. … It's time for both sides to stop playing 'gotcha' and return to the bipartisanship that has maintained the integrity of the fast track process that has advanced our economy for thirty years. The stakes are too high to walk away from this challenge." (National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch, "NFTC Statement on U.S.-Colombia FTA," Press Release, 4/9/08)

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman: Nancy Pelosi's "decision will not only place a vote on the agreement in limbo, but it is a direct strike at Trade Promotion Authority." "This Congress has had no issue unilaterally opening the U.S. market to Colombian products through trade preferences. Yet when it comes to an agreement that finally provides the same benefits to U.S. products entering the Colombian market, Congress hesitates." (Bob Stallman, "AFBF Statement Regarding Removal Of Colombia TPA Timetable," Press Release, 4/9/08)

Congressional Hispanic Conference Executive Director Mario H. Lopez: "Once again the Democrat leadership has gone out of its way to break their word and attempt to change the rules in the middle of the game." "They are causing more damage to the American economy while managing to stab an important ally in the eye in the process. It looks like just another day in the Democrat-controlled Congress." (Mario H. Lopez, "Congressional Hispanic Conference Reaction To Pelosi’'s Dirty Tricks On Colombia Trade," Press Release, 4/9/08)

Consumer Electronics Association President And CEO Gary Shapiro: "In these times of economic uncertainty, the last thing we should do is reject a deal that advantages American workers and firms." "More, as we fight for the hearts and minds of the Colombian people, it seems unhelpful to use a procedural vote to delay consideration of an important trade agreement." (Gary Shapiro, Consumer Electronics Association Letter To Congress, 4/9/08)

National Pork Producers Council President Bryan Black: "If Congress disregards this trade law, it will undermine the credibility of the United States with its trading partners." "Should Congress remove the timetable, it will bad for U.S. pork producers, bad for American agriculture and business, bad for Colombia’s economic and political stability, and bad for the prospects of future trade agreements such as Korea and Doha." (Bryan Black, "NPPC Condemns Move To Delay Vote On Colombia Trade Deal," Press Release, 4/9/08)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President for Government Affairs R. Bruce Josten: "Denying the Colombia trade agreement a vote is unacceptable and would do nothing to advance U.S. economic or geopolitical interests in Colombia." "Nearly everything the U.S. imports from Colombia enters duty free. However, when Americans sell their goods to Colombia, they face average tariffs of 14% for manufactured goods and higher for agricultural goods. The Colombia agreement will remedy this unfairness by eliminating tariffs on U.S. exports to Colombia within a few years." (R. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, Letter To Congress, 4/9/08)

Ø "If the Speaker is truly concerned about the welfare of America's working families then she would schedule a fair, up-or-down vote on the Colombia agreement immediately."

"This Is A Vote Against Colombia Plain And Simple"

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH): "Any vote to delay the consideration of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement would violate the spirit of the law and undermine our ability to create more American jobs." "Let me be clearer: it would be cheating. It would break a promise Democratic leaders made to the American people. Worse, such an action would wreak havoc on our international trade commitments and any future attempts to negotiate any agreement with a foreign nation. What nation would conclude a treaty with the United States knowing that Congress can change the rules of the game after it is negotiated?" (John Boehner, "Boehner Warns Democrats Not To Delay Consideration Of The Colombia Free Trade Agreement," Press Release, 4/9/08)

Ø "If Democratic leaders delay consideration of the Colombia Free Trade agreement, they will sacrifice more than 200 years of international credibility for the shallowest possible short-term political gain." "This trade agreement is good for our farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and other American exporters, and it's time for Democratic leaders to schedule a House vote to approve it."

House Rules Committee Ranking Member David Dreier (R-CA): "This has never ever been done before in the 34-year history [of fast-track rules.]" (Steven T. Dennis "Pelosi Seizes Trade Agenda," Roll Call, 4/10/08)

House Ways And Means Committee Ranking Member Jim McCrery (R-LA): "With the House's action … we will undermine that authority and damage United States credibility abroad." "In the future, our trading partners will rightfully be able to question the commitments of our Government in negotiating trade agreements." (Jim McCrery, "Ways & Means Members McCrery and Herger Criticize Democrats' Attempts to Change the Rules for Colombia," Press Release, 4/9/08)

House Ways And Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA): "If the Speaker is truly concerned about the welfare of America's working families then she would schedule a fair, up-or-down vote on the Colombia agreement immediately." "Speaker Pelosi's announcement that preventing a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement somehow keeps 'with how the rules of the House have governed how trade agreements have traditionally been brought to the floor under TPA' is at best uninformed and at worst is knowingly misleading. This is a vote against Colombia plain and simple." (Wally Herger, "Ways & Means Members McCrery and Herger Criticize Democrats' Attempts to Change the Rules for Colombia," Press Release, 4/9/08)

House Chief Deputy Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA): "[T]he isolationist fervor on the Democratic campaign trail has further exhausted Congress's willingness to approve pending free-trade deals with important allies such as Colombia." (Eric Cantor, Op-Ed, "Tension in the Andes," National Review Online, 4/9/08)

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL): ''This vote will undermine our credibility as a negotiating partner and our economic and security interests in the Western Hemisphere.'' (Pablo Bachelet, "Colombia Trade Vote To Be Blocked," The Miami Herald, 4/10/08)

Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA): "The Colombia FTA … deserves broad support and swift passage in Congress." "[E]nacting the Colombia FTA on the heels of our recent agreement with Peru will enable Congress to advance other pending trade deals, most notably with Korea, Washington state's fourth-largest trading partner. Passing the U.S.-Korea FTA is vital to our economic growth and job creation. Rejecting trade agreements sends a signal that America is closed for business and emboldens China and Europe to exploit those markets." (Dave Reichert, Op-Ed, "Colombia Free-Trade Pact Should Be Approved," The Seatlle Times, 4/9/08)

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