Blumenauer to vote NO on CAFTA!

Rep. Earl Blumenaue today announced that he will vote NO on CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement). He joins all the Democractic Representatives from Oregon as well as Brian Baird from Vancouver.

Our job is not over. Attention now needs to turn to Senator Smith and Senator Wyden as well as Representative Greg Walden. Neither have committed to vote No.

Both Senators have made statements recently which suggest they may be leaning toward a No vote but we need them to make a firm committment.

Greg Walden might be presuaded to vote No because of the negative effects on the sugar industry. Recently two usually pro-free trade Republican representatives in Idaho announced their intention to vote no because of the dangers CAFTA poses to the sugar beet industry which is so important in Idaho. It is also an important industry in eastern Oregon.

Senator Smith: 503 326 3386
503 326 2900 (f)
www.senate.gov/~gsmith/webformail.htm

Senator Wyden: 503 326 7525
503 326 7528 (f)
www.senate.gov/~wyden/mail.htm

Rep Greg Walden: 800 533 3303
541 779 0204 (f)
greg.walden@mail.house.gov

Following is Earl Blumenauer's statement:

News from:

EARL BLUMENAUER

May 9, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Daly (202) 225-4813

Kathie Eastman (503) 231-6995

Blumenauer Announces Opposition to CAFTA

Washington, DC - Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced today that he will
oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) when it comes up for a
vote in Congress. This trade agreement, if approved by Congress, would create a
"free trade" zone between the United States and other Central American
countries similar to that of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The
agreement could be considered and voted on by Congress as early as the coming weeks.
Blumenauer issued the following statement to describe his opposition to the proposal:

"Oregon is a key part of the global economy. I, along with most Oregonians,
support trade. Done right, trade has the potential to create jobs, lower consumer
prices, and help developing countries. We all want stronger economies and better
consumer choices.

"I have supported all four bilateral trade agreements that have come before
Congress since TPA, since they dealt with developed economies such as Australia
and Singapore or countries that have made great strides and are leaders in their
regions - Morocco and Chile.

"CAFTA , however, is the failed product of the partisan and poorly constructed
trade negotiating framework of Fast Track. It is not Honest Trade.

"Last week, I held a trade forum that considered our general trade policies
and CAFTA in particular. I heard a number of points of view, and it's very clear
that CAFTA will be good for some Oregon businesses but for me, the negatives outweigh
the positives.

"For me, it is clear that CAFTA:

Does not include meaningful environmental and labor standards.
Would seriously under fund promises to help those negatively affected by trade.
Seriously harms countries that rely heavily on an agricultural economy. This is
unfathomable.

"Our egregious Farm Bill has locked us into subsidies that do not promote free
trade and have already caused much harm to other countries' farmers .We need to
pay attention to the hard lessons NAFTA imposed on struggling Mexican farmers.

"We can negotiate better and fairer trade agreements by focusing on Honest
Trade. Honest trade includes regulations and enforcement mechanisms that can improve
labor conditions and environmental quality. It can improve the financial markets
by making processes more transparent and accountable. Honest trade can foster democratic
processes.

"Done right, honest trade will open up markets for companies in my hometown
such as Nike, Intel, Columbia Sportsware, Precision Castparts and Freightliner that
export around the world and create jobs for my constituents. Agricultural specialty
crops in Oregon can thrive when U.S. policy finally helps family farmers protect
the land and water rather than putting our money into outrageous subsidies for agricultural
commodities.

"CAFTA is not honest trade, since it protects certain industries, such as sugar
and rice, and minimizes the regulations that can improve standards for the countries
involved. Indeed, there is ambivalence in Central America. Most recently, Costa
Rica is possibly postponing deliberations until after the presidential election
in February 2006.

"It is clear that the United States trade policy needs to be more sensitive
to the needs of the most vulnerable. Our trade policies should support our own labor
and environmental laws. The U.S. is too timid in using the WTO to protect American
business and workers from unfair practices.

Continued Republican partisanship and lack of communication means that we are not
forging bipartisan trade policies. CAFTA's approval at this point will not be a
step forward and I fear would be a step back. I won't vote for it in its current
form."

###

Tom Markgraf

Senior Policy Advisor

Office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Third Congressional District Oregon

Phone: 503-231-2300

Fax: 503-230-5413

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