Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today called on Congress to take action on pending free trade deals, with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea agreements still awaiting the approval of the U.S. House of Representatives. Although the House extended Andean trade preferences last week, congressional leadership has not yet scheduled a vote on any of the three pending agreements that are critical to economic growth in the Northwest. Reichert submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record:

“Madame Speaker, While I am pleased that the House has once again renewed Andean trade preferences, I think this bill highlights more than ever the need to pass pending free trade agreements that have languished for far too long without consideration. We must continue to open markets to encourage American companies to innovate and compete with their global counterparts. This grows our economy and creates jobs.

“I am proud to represent a district in Washington State that integrates our nation’s leading technology innovators with a vibrant and highly productive small business community. Opening new global markets gives them incentives to improve their products, produce more goods, and employ more American workers. I have seen these job-creating effects first-hand, with trade accounting for 1 out of every 3 jobs in my state.

“In this time of economic uncertainty, Congress must act now to advance America’s broader trade agenda. We cannot allow important agreements with Panama and Korea to remain on hold while Europe and China continue to knock down trade barriers and improve their competitiveness in the global economy. And surely recent provocative comments by the leader of Venezuela helps put into perspective the urgent need to use the power of trade in Colombia. I urge my colleagues in the Majority to stop the delays and pass these free trade agreements. Let’s advance the trade measures needed to grow our economy, create jobs, and not only improve our relations with global partners, but also to foster global peace and freedom.”

Congressman Reichert is a member of the Trade Working Group, which unites Members of Congress to work toward the passage of trade legislation that supports business, jobs, and economic growth.

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