CONGRESSMAN HANK JOHNSON
Georgia's Fourth Congressional District

Rep. Johnson Votes Against Free Trade Agreement With Peru

November 8, 2007

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), a member of the House Judiciary and Small Business committees, today voted against ratification of a free trade agreement with Peru, citing concerns about the impact on American jobs and the bill’s failure to close loopholes that allow multinational corporations to evade U.S. taxes and regulation. The vote was 285-132.

The United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 3688) would ratify a free trade agreement negotiated by the U.S. and Peruvian governments. “There is no doubt that Americans and Peruvians can benefit from trade,” said Rep. Johnson, “but I am not convinced that this agreement will serve the interests of American workers and not just the companies that stand to benefit from the loopholes.”

Citing President Bush’s recent threat to veto legislation that would help American workers whose jobs disappear due to trade, Congressman Johnson insisted that fair trade requires the provision of relief for Americans who stand to lose from such deals.

“As long as the President refuses assistance to workers who suffer as their jobs go abroad, I cannot support measures that risk leaving more Americans unemployed and without compensation,” said Rep. Johnson.