Washington, DC –  Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted to approve the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement:

“Today is a sad day for working families across our nation.  I voted against the Peru Free Trade Agreement because it makes no guarantees that jobs will stay in the United States.”

“The Peru Free Trade Agreement is a bad deal: bad for workers and businesses in my district, bad for America, and bad for workers in Peru.”

“In the past, American families have lost jobs because free trade agreements did not lead to the job creation that was expected here at home.  NAFTA and CAFTA style trade policies have caused us to lose more than 3 million American jobs, and given us a trade deficit of over $800 billion.  The last thing our working families need is for us to rush into another disastrous free trade agreement.”

“The bottom line is that the Peru Free Trade agreement will cause more job losses, more poverty and more hardship for workers both here and in Latin America, while growing the gap between rich and poor.” 

“I will continue to stand up for American workers and oppose free trade agreements.  Our leaders need to protect American jobs from further off-shoring, create more jobs here, and ensure that folks at home can benefit from our global economy.”