CAFTA: A Raw Deal for America

CAFTA: A RAW DEAL FOR AMERICA -- (House of Representatives - July 27, 2005)

(Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because CAFTA is a raw deal for America, and opposition to this agreement is so strong that the pushers of CAFTA are resorting to lies, deceptions, and backdoor deals.

We all know that CAFTA means exporting American jobs because of access to cheap labor markets with almost nonexistent environmental and labor standards.

All week long we have heard from the supporters of this badly negotiated trade agreement that they have the votes they need to pass it. But I do not want anybody to be fooled and buy this lie. The truth is that the overwhelming majority of House Members have already indicated that they oppose this bill because it is a bad deal for American workers.

They will not even tell us when CAFTA will come to the floor for a vote. Instead, we come to see CAFTA come deceptively to the floor in the middle of the night when they think the American public is not watching.

I urge my colleagues to vote their conscience, to not accept backdoor deals, to stand their ground. Vote for what they already know is best for the people of their district. Vote to send CAFTA back to the drawing board.

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