Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Tuesday, July 27, 2005	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON STATEMENT ON CAFTA

Washington, DC – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives today during debate on the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement between the United States and the nations of Central America and the Dominican Republic. A copy of Congressman Skelton’s prepared remarks is attached:

Floor Statement of Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO)
Concerning the Central American Free Trade Agreement
U.S. House of Representatives – July 27, 2005

“Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks, I have closely studied the proposed free trade pact between the United States and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, commonly referred to as CAFTA.

After careful consideration, research, and meetings with national security experts and representatives of Missouri agriculture, labor, and business, I have decided to vote in favor of CAFTA. While this legislation is far from perfect – no trade pact ever is – my support comes down to two issues.

First, CAFTA is a national security issue. As the Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, I have the opportunity to consider not only the military component of national security, but other elements as well. Our security depends upon the success and the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. We must exert leadership, especially in our own hemisphere.

Just 20 years ago, civil wars, communist insurgencies, and military dictatorships oppressed and destabilized much of Central America. Because conditions in Central America are critical to our national security, the United States has actively supported these nations during the transition from insurgency and military rule to democracy. However, these new democratic governments cannot be taken for granted. Threats to their existence remain, notably from countries in South America that are suffering the effects of civil war, narcotics trafficking, and communist inspired agitation. Turning our backs on a region only recently freed from the grasp of dictatorship would diminish our international credibility and would send the wrong message to the world at a time when our troops are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq to build stable, democratically-elected governments.

As former President Jimmy Carter said, “For the first time ever, we have a chance to reinforce democracies in the region. This is the moment to move forward and to help those leaders who want to modernize and humanize their countries.”

Second, the market access provided by CAFTA will benefit American agriculture, which is of primary importance to those of us who care about the future of rural America and want to promote a strong rural economy. Currently, 99 percent of agricultural products from CAFTA countries enter the United States duty free, while U.S. farm exports face significant barriers in these markets. Many of these commodities are produced in Missouri, where agricultural exports totaled $1.24 billion in 2003 and account for one-fourth of farm cash receipts.

Under CAFTA, U.S. farm products – like pork, poultry, soybeans, corn, and beef – will receive preferential access to Central American markets, giving Missouri’s agricultural exports a significant economic advantage over agricultural exports from our competitors in South America, Europe, and Canada. It is projected the CAFTA could increase agricultural exports in the Show-Me State by $33 million annually once the agreement is fully implemented in 2024.

Again, no trade deal is perfect. Clearly, some improvements could be made in the bill, especially on the labor protection side. But, as I studied CAFTA and heard from national security, agriculture, labor, and business leaders, I became convinced that this trade agreement is critical to U.S. national security and to rural America.”

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.