Times to Act on Trade is Now

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, the approval of pending trade agreements with countries such as Colombia, South Korea, and Panama have languished, awaiting approval by Congress.

According to research conducted by our colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, the inaction of these trade agreements is costing America jobs and market access. In fact, implementing the Colombia trade agreement alone could create an estimated 8 million U.S. jobs. Every day we delay, the more ground our Nation and our economy lose to our international competitors.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Parliament ratified a trade agreement with Colombia, improving their access to this market and putting our producers at even more of a disadvantage. Trade is an indispensable part of American prosperity, and Congress needs to take immediate, decisive action on these trade agreements.

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