Boehner on Columbia Free Trade Agreement

This just in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement after President Bush announced that he will send Congress the Colombia Free Trade Agreement tomorrow:

“Passing the Colombia Free Trade Agreement will level the playing field for American workers, farmers, and businesses who are currently being denied fair access to an important and growing South American market. Our global competitors are already working to expand their exports to Colombia through trade agreements. As a result of the Andean Trade Promotion Agreement, which passed the House in February with no opposition, Colombian goods face virtually no trade barriers entering the United States, but American exports to Colombia still face steep tariffs. We need to give our farmers and business owners equal access to the Colombian market. Passing the Colombia Free Trade Agreement means more jobs for people here in the United States. It is a simple matter of fairness for American workers. I urge the Democratic Leadership to schedule a vote on the measure as soon as possible.”