Speaker's Bipartisan Delegation Completes U.S. Jobs Mission in Latin America

Press Release

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and a bipartisan House delegation have completed a three-country mission to Latin America focused on jobs, energy, and security.

"Our nation's economy is struggling to create jobs, and making the most of our trade relationships with our strategic partners in Latin America is an essential part of the solution," Boehner said. "I believe the delegation's efforts over the past week have helped to strengthen the United States' most vital relationships in the region, at a time when those relationships have never been more important to our future."

Over the course of the past week, the delegation has held face-to-face discussions with the leaders of the United States' top three Latin American export partners -- Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico -- nations that collectively import billions of dollars annually in products made by American workers. The trip, which coincided with a Latin American tour taken by Iranian dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also provided an opportunity to thank the United States' strategic partners in the region at a critical time.

Delegation members reviewed plans for implementation of free trade agreements passed by the House in 2011 with Colombia and Panama that are critical to U.S. job creation, and saw the effects of pro-energy domestic policies as the House prepares for action on the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, a jobs bill that will allow increased production of American-made energy.

"I am grateful to Presidents Rousseff, Santos, Martinelli, and Calderon for the dialogue each had with our delegation during the past week. They and the people of their countries are leading the way in promoting freedom and prosperity in Latin America -- a trend that will benefit the United States and all nations in our hemisphere in the years ahead," Boehner said.

Members participating in the Speaker's bipartisan congressional delegation include Reps. Dan Boren (D-OK); Greg Walden (R-OR), Chairman of the House Republican Leadership; David Camp (R-MI), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways & Means; Doc Hastings (R-WA), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources; John Kline (R-MN), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; and Devin Nunes (R-CA), a member of the Committee on Ways & Means.

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