Trade agreements are an important tool that can boost the American economy and help improve standards of living at home and abroad. While some agreements have caused temporary displacement of workers, recent trade agreements are focused on increasing access for U.S. manufacturers in foreign markets. One such agreement is the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement which passed the House of Representatives in November 2007.
I believe this agreement will advance U.S. national economic interests and marks a new chapter in our commercial partnership with Peru. Currently, 98 percent of the goods imported from Peru have duty-free access to the U.S. market. This agreement will make the trade relationship a two-way street by allowing more U.S. goods to enter Peru without trade barriers. Once the trade agreement is enacted into law, Peru’s market will be guaranteed for 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial goods, all textile and apparel goods, and over 90 percent of the current U.S. farm exports to Peru, by value.
While the U.S-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement is beneficial to the American agricultural industry, the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) will be harmful to many of the farmers across Southern Louisiana. With the increase in the number of cases of tainted foods being imported to the U.S. from foreign countries, now is not the time to put our own farmers out of business and increasing our reliance on food from abroad. Future trade agreements must take into account the need to maintain a strong and vibrant farming community.
Additionally, as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is fully implemented this year, the potential exists for excess sugar imports from Mexico to be dumped in the U.S. market. Because of this, I worked with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to create a market rebalancing mechanism, allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to direct excess sugar into the ethanol market. This program is contained in the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419).
I will continue to support trade agreements that increase our access to foreign markets and promote U.S. economic growth. The Bush Administration reached agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea before the expiration of the trade promotion authority (TPA). As Congress continues to work on these agreements, I will support the interests of the Seventh Congressional District, as well as the entire State.
I am always eager to hear from my constituents. If you would like to speak with my staff about trade legislation, please contact Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2031.
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 | | July 3, 2008 | | Boustany Calls for More American Energy Production to Lower Price at the Pump | |
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| “Southwest Louisiana families really struggle to pay for gas, and high diesel prices now affecti them at the grocery,” Boustany said. “America’s trucking companies and truck drivers are working hard to keep the price of goods low, but high diesel prices are hitting them directly. Ultimately, these costs pass to the consumer. Congress must do more to spur American production, which will help lower the price at the pump for families and truck drivers. It lessens our dependence on foreign sources of oil and creates quality American jobs. Louisiana leads the nation, and I will continue to push my colleagues to promote responsible American energy production.” |
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| May 21, 2008 | | Boustany Votes to Make Farm Bill Law, Overrides President’s Veto | |
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| “Farmers and ranchers across Southwest Louisiana are one step closer to less anxiety about their future with the override of President Bush’s veto today,” Boustany said. “This has been a long process, but in the end we were able to come together and support a bi-partisan, responsible bill. I am proud of the work we accomplished on the Farm Bill, and I am grateful to all those in Southwest Louisiana who help.” |
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| May 21, 2008 | | Boustany Announces Energy Initiative to Lower Price at the Pump and Produce Southwest Louisiana Jobs | |
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| “Increasing American energy production is the single most responsible solution to our energy crisis, and I am fighting for sensible energy policy,” Boustany said. “The price of gas at the pump will continue to rise if Congress only blames OPEC. American energy production leads to more American jobs, more supply to lower cost and reduced dependence on foreign sources like Venezuela and the Middle East. I am proud to support this energy plan.” |
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| May 21, 2008 | | Boustany- “This is a Responsible Farm Bill and the President is Wrong” | |
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| “This is a responsible Farm Bill with increased oversights on the farm and nutrition programs,” Boustany said. “It is a responsible piece of legislation for the American taxpayer, and it is a sound bill for our nation’s farmers and ranchers. I wish the President wasn’t wrong on this, but I will work to override the veto to ensure the Farm Bill becomes law.” |
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| May 13, 2008 | | Boustany Votes to Suspend Filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Increase Oil Supply | |
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| “As Southwest Louisiana families struggle with high prices at the pump, increasing domestic supply is the most effective way to ease these price hikes, and liberal Washington Democrats finally started to realize it,” Boustany said. “This is only a small start to increase supplies of gas and crude oil to lower the price. Now, Congress needs to do more by increasing responsible American energy production to increase the supply further and drive costs down as soon as possible.” |
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| May 13, 2008 | | Boustany Announces Support for Responsible Farm Bill, Will Work to Override President’s Veto | |
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| “The Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation Congress faces for America’s farmers, and today’s Farm Bill is the responsible safeguard our farmers and ranchers need in Southwest Louisiana,” Boustany said. “This bi-partisan bill protects American taxpayers while ensuring we have a safe and reliable food supply, which is critical following food safety issues in China. I am pleased with this final version of the Farm Bill, and I urge the President to sign it after the House and Senate pass it.” |
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| May 6, 2008 | | Boustany Demands Action to Alleviate Gas and Diesel Prices for Southwest Louisiana | |
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| “Liberal Democrats, including Speaker Pelosi, continue to talk about their secret solution for skyrocketing gas prices, but they fail to produce any answers,” Boustany said. “Raising taxes on American energy producers isn’t an answer to lower the price, so let’s look at increasing American production in a responsible way. Increasing supply will help reduce speculation and lead to lower costs at the pump.” |
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