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Dominican Republic Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Date: July 27, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Trade


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-UNITED STATES FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - July 27, 2005)

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am about to cast my first vote ever against a trade agreement. While this has very little impact overall in the United States economy, it is very important for the direction of our trade and economic policy. Are we going to continue to parcel out piecemeal agreements? When pushed, are we going to cut side deals and understandings like we have done of late with citrus and steel and textiles and sugar? Are we going to fail to own up to our own agriculture subsidies?

We do not do a very good job in this country anymore enforcing our own labor laws. I am no longer interested in one more suboptimal agreement. Because it has such a small impact, there is no excuse for not advancing workers and their environment at home and abroad. There is no reason to settle for this agreement, and I urge its rejection.

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