With the U.S. economy entering a potentially severe recession, with the trade deficit running at about $2 billion a day, and with unemployment on the rise – the last thing we need is another flawed trade agreement with a country that cannot even guarantee the rule of law, let alone basic human rights for its workers. 

We applaud today’s historic vote by the House of Representatives to revoke the fast-track timeline for consideration of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.  Today’s vote demonstrates clearly that Congress will not allow President Bush to set its agenda on trade or the economy. 

President Bush violated decades of protocol and severely undermined prospects for bipartisan cooperation – on trade or other issues – when he sent the Colombia FTA to Congress without the consent of leadership.

Speaker Pelosi sent a powerful message to President Bush today that she will not allow him to usurp power that the Constitution has given to Congress.

Congress should give its full attention to addressing the urgent needs of our failing economy.  And there should be no vote on the U.S.-Colombia FTA until Colombia ends the violence against trade unionists and assures they can exercise their basic rights without fear.

Contact:  Alison Omens (202) 637-5018