Bush challenges Congress on free trade pact
President Bush on Monday moved to force a vote on a controversial free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia that Democrats oppose. During an appearance at the White House, Bush said he signed a letter giving Congress 90 working days to vote on the agreement, which would allow goods to move between the United States and Colombia without being taxed.startclickprintexclude--> Last week, Pelosi, a California Democrat, indicated she would oppose the bill unless it is accompanied by protections for U.S. workers. She did not "recommend" Bush send the bill to Congress, she said. And the Senate majority leader, Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, warned Bush was setting up the agreement to fail. "Many Democrats continue to have serious concerns about an agreement that creates the highest level of economic integration with a country where workers and their families are routinely murdered and subjected to violence and intimidation for seeking to exercise their most basic economic rights. And the perpetrators of the violence have near total impunity," he said in a statement shortly after Bush spoke.startclickprintexclude--> In particular, the aide points to concerns in the Democratic caucus about the murders of hundreds of trade unionists in Colombia. A top Republican leadership aide in the Senate said there is "sufficient support" in the Senate but worries politics -- presidential and otherwise - could be problematic. "The question is: What games will be played between here and there?" the aide said. |
