WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today praised the government of Colombia for successfully implementing the elements of the Action Plan on Labor Rights that were due by June 15th prior to that deadline and again called on the Obama Administration to immediately submit implementing legislation for the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to Congress.
“Colombia is a strategic partner that continues to make progress toward strengthening democracy and the rule of law. Our trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea will boost American exports by over $12 billion and grow our economy by more than $14 billion. With today’s news, the Obama Administration has lost another excuse to delay the implementation of these vital trade pacts; they must immediately send implementing legislation to Congress," said Hatch. “Every day that passes puts American exporters at an international competitive disadvantage and delays the creation of tens of thousands of jobs for American workers. Time is of the essence."
