Free Trade in the Hemisphere

From the ILRNHA:

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference issued the following statements regarding the failure of Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to see that progress is made on pending trade agreements with Latin American neighbors Peru, Colombia and Panama.

"The freedom to trade is a vital component of the values we share with our friends and allies in the region. Any serious commitment to democracy and opportunity in our hemisphere needs to involve real action on these mutually beneficial trade agreements. The Democratic leadership in the House should honor the bipartisan agreement that was reached way back in May and schedule progress on these agreements, especially on the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement."

Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño, Chair (P.R.)

"I continue to support free trade with free nations. Not only is it beneficial for our economy, but it also leads to economic expansion in the region, which is crucial for our Democratic allies in the hemisphere. Although Democrat leadership seems to have broken the agreement they made with the Administration in May, I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Colombia and Panama this year."

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Vice-Chair (Fla.)

For more background on the Dems' kowtowing to Big Labor, read Robert Novak.