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For Immediate Release |
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Contact: Phoebe Silag |
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Phone: (202) 225-8885 |
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April 9, 2008 |
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CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON’S STATEMENT ON COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
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Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today issued the following statement in opposition to the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement that President Bush sent to Congress this week. Under "fast-track" trade negotiating rules, Congress has 90 days in which to take floor action on the agreement.
"We in Congress have the responsibility to expand our economy through increased trade, while ensuring that the interests of workers and the environment are safeguarded. In this case, though, human rights must take precedence to free trade. In 2007, 39 Colombians were murdered because they were members of trade unions. Seventeen union members have been killed in Colombia already this year. The Colombian government has prosecuted fewer than 3 percent of the 2,500 murders of trade unionists since 1986.
"President Bush speaks of compromise with Congress, yet he is using fast-track trade negotiating authority to force Congress to vote on this important legislation without real debate on the Colombian labor rights movement.
"I will continue to oppose trade deals this Administration negotiates that are contrary to the best interests of America and my constituents in North Texas."
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.
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