Rehberg Pledges Opposition to CAFTA

Rehberg Pledges Opposition to CAFTA
March 15, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced his opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

"I support trade because Montana needs trade for our Ag products, but this particular agreement doesn't make sense for Montana, and it certainly doesn't make sense to the families of the Yellowstone River Valley, whose sugar beet producers are trying to make ends meet," Rehberg, a Billings rancher, said. "As Montana's Congressman, my job is to look out for and protect Montana's economy, our citizens, and our producers. CAFTA is bad for Montana, unfair to Montana's sugar industry, and will ultimately hurt the economy of Eastern Montana."

Signed last year with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the trade and investment accord requires approval by the U.S. Congress. The ratified pact would open the U.S. sugar market to the six countries by allowing higher sugar import quotas.

"I've spoken to countless farmers, business owners and community leaders across Montana since this accord was announced, and I can't remember any who support it. CAFTA is not about fairness, it's about giving foreign countries access to the U.S. market at the expense of our own producers, who will be forced to compete on an uneven playing field, and I simply can't support it," Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mt00_rehberg/031505_CAFTA.html