Dreier Leads Congressional Delegation
to South America

Bipartisan Group to Focus on Free Trade in the Western Hemisphere

August 15, 2001

WASHINGTON - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, announced today that he will lead a bipartisan delegation of Members of Congress to South America next week. The trip will focus on promoting President Bush’s free trade agenda and emphasizing the importance of Congressional action on Trade Promotion Authority in the fall. The group will visit with government and economic leaders in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.

“Free trade has been key to American prosperity and growth,” Dreier said. “Now, it has the potential to truly unify our hemisphere and improve working and living standards for all its citizens through the Free Trade Area of the Americas. But if we want to meet that important goal by 2005, President Bush needs Trade Promotion Authority sooner rather than later.”

Dreier expressed hope that Congressional action on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) would occur after the August recess. “Congress must act quickly on TPA when we return from the summer recess,” Dreier said. “When we do, it will be a bipartisan effort. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to take supporters of free trade, Republicans and Democrats, to such a critical region. Our experiences in South America will be decisive to formulating sound public policy on trade issues.”

Dreier noted that he joined on the trip joined by his California colleagues, Representatives Lucille Royball-Allard (D-Los Angeles), George Radanovich (R-Mariposa), and Grace Napalitano (D-Norwalk). “We will be touting the economic leadership and ingenuity of the people of California. On its own, California is the sixth largest economy in the world. With expanded trade opportunities in this hemisphere, Californians and Americans will benefit tremendously.”