There is growing speculation that the White House will submit to Congress by the end of this week legislation to implement the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Administration officials have said for weeks that sending the bill to Capitol Hill without the agreement of Democratic leaders, as apparently may be the case, is not their preferred choice. However, they have also made clear that securing congressional approval of the Colombia FTA is one of the administration’s top trade priorities this year and that they are not willing to let lawmakers “run out the clock” on it.
Administration officials have made a major effort this year to persuade key congressional Democrats to schedule a vote on the Colombia FTA. They have emphasized the agreement’s potential to increase exports at a time when the U.S. economy is struggling and to strengthen a regional ally against the antagonistic and unpredictable leader of a neighboring country. But the apparent decision to submit the implementing legislation at this point is likely more a function of domestic politics. With little expectation that a trade vote could be held once the congressional and presidential election campaigns shift into high gear this fall, the White House wants to make sure lawmakers vote on the FTA before the August recess. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week that “the time is now” for a vote on the agreement. According to Inside US Trade, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Christopher Padilla added this week that “time is running short” and that “letting the clock run out is not an option.”
The primary question that will be raised if the Colombia FTA bill is submitted without the agreement of House Democratic leaders is what their reaction will be. In the Senate, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has said he wants a Trade Adjustment Assistance program expansion bill approved before any FTA will be considered. The White House seems willing to go along with that demand, although there will likely be some wrangling over program costs and coverage. In the House, however, leaders have said they want to see a sustained record of progress in Colombia on reducing anti-labor union violence, although administration officials have responded that such a record is already evident. Observers say that if the Colombia FTA bill is sent to the House without the approval of Democratic leaders they could actively urge party members to vote against it or they might use procedural rules to circumvent the requirement that the bill be considered under “fast track” procedures.
World Trade/Interactive
