Washington, DC - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D -Mont.)
strongly condemned today's decision by the President to submit to Congress the implementing legislation for the U.S. - Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Baucus has repeatedly made it clear that a reformed and expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance program for America’s workers should be the first trade priority for Congress and for the President.
“The President is making a big mistake," Baucus said. “Forcing Congress to vote on the Colombia trade agreement without a chance to weigh in on the legislation is an abuse of the fast-track process for trade agreements, and may well turn supporters and potential supporters of the Colombia agreement into opponents of the deal.
Forcing this vote now is a disservice to American workers and to our trading partner, Colombia, as well. Colombia is an important ally in a troubled region. I urge the President not to add fuel to the fire surrounding this agreement, but to reconsider this unwise decision."
The President's submission of the implementing legislation for the U.S. - Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement triggers the 90-day "fast-track" clock for Senate consideration of this Agreement.
Source: Ranking Member’s News
