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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-Sherman Oaks), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, issued the following statement today following the vote on the Columbian Trade Agreement which President Bush sent to Congress:
"Today, House Democrats took the historic step of reasserting Congress' Constitutional control of U.S. trade policy.
Earlier this week, President Bush tried to force a vote on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement when he sent it to Congress against the objections of the Democratic majority. Under a special procedure called Fast Track, a free trade agreement is required to receive a vote within 90 legislative days after submission by the President without opportunity for amendment. The House voted to prevent this automatic vote.
Earlier this year, Congress refused to give President Bush the right to negotiate new trade deals under Fast Track procedures. Today, the House demonstrated Congress’ ability to take away the President’s power to demand votes on outstanding deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
The Colombia Free Trade Agreement is a continuation of a failed trade model that has led to the loss of over 3 million manufacturing jobs and an $800 billion annual trade deficit. Colombia is still the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a labor activist. American workers should not be asked to compete with countries that ignore core labor standards with impunity. This vote places Congress back in the driver's seat."
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