The 108th Congressional Wrap up

DR-CAFTA Update

The 108th Congressional Wrap up

Congressional report card

In a poor show of solidarity, Colorado's US House Representatives and Senators failed terribly according to Latin America Working Group's congressional scorecard for 2004. In the House there was not a single show of support from Colorado's Representatives for Colombian sign on letters, the Farr/Taylor Letter to the Armed Services that advocated to lower the troop cap in Colombia or the McGovern letter on Human Rights Defenders sent to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe calling for him to protect human rights advocates.

Out of all Colorado's US elected officials, only Diana DeGette and Mark Udall voted for any major legislation last year favorable to Latin America in the House. To express our gratitude, please take time out to thank both DeGette and Udall's offices for their continued support toward the people of Latin America. They both showed strong support for Cuban initiatives, with DeGette and Udall voting for Davis, Rangel and CJS amendments. DeGette and Udall both co-sponsored HR 1258, the bill to close and investigate the School of the Americas. Udall co-sponsored the Juarez Resolution, which expressed sympathy for the families of the women murdered in the border cities of Juarez and Chihuahua City, Mexico, and DeGette co-sponsored the SOLVE Act that provides immigration reform for Mexico. Neither bill was voted on in 2004. Disappointedly, both Allard and Campbell abstained from or voted against important policy regarding Latin America in the Senate.

We cannot afford to let our voices go unheard in 2005. The induction of freshmen Senator and House Rep. Ken and John Salazar provide us the opportunity to improve Colorado's support with Latin America. As the 109th session opens January 20th, it is our responsibility as global citizens to contact and educate new members of Congress, (while they begin to formulate their positions on foreign policy) as well as keep in contact with and (re)educate returning members of Congress. DJPC is planning to make visits to our congressional offices. We are preparing to meet particularly with nascent Senator Salazar in February. If you are interested in participating or for more information please contact us at 303-623-1463.

Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill Passed

Congress passed the remainder of the 2005 foreign operations appropriations bill during the “lame duck” session last November. The bill pertains to foreign assistance programs and has deep impacts on military aid to Colombia, Bolivia and Guatemala. This legislation appropriated $731 million for Andean Counternarcotics programs, with $237 million of that designated for development aid.

Military aid for troops in Colombia double

Congress passed the 2005 defense bill increasing US troop presence in Colombia by 100% and civilian military contractors by 50% in an extended October joint House-Senate conference session. Earlier in the year, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) introduced an amendment to limit the number of U.S. troops to 500 and private contractors to 400 in the House, and Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) offered a companion amendment in the Senate. Correspondingly, Senator Warner (R-VA) and Rep. Hunter (R-CA) argued to eliminate the troop cap altogether. Compromise was finally reached at a troop cap of 800 U.S. troops and 600 contractors.

In the Senate, Feingold (D-WI) and Dodd (D-CT) had 23 senators, including Kerry and Edwards, sign on to a letter to President Uribe, with the McGovern companion letter on Human Rights Defenders circulating in the house. These letters were pivotal in educating U.S. Congresspersons and international media about Colombia's human right's violations and military practices.

DR-CAFTA Update

Last May all six Central American countries as well as the Dominican Republic completed negotiations on the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States, although the treaty needs final approval from the US Congress. It is expected to be voted on as early as spring 2005. The comprehensive body of international law neatly packaged simply as CAFTA sets the paradigm for trade, investment, labor, environment, state, civil, and corporate relations for the twenty-first century between the United States, all of Central America and most likely the Dominican Republic. If approved, it will take legal precedence over current legislation in all participating countries.

CAFTA is predicted to fail in Congress only marginally, and after picking up more votes for it the last election, it is imperative to remind our representatives to vote against the faulted legislation. In addition to increased income inequality, poverty, foreign ownership, and debt as well as undermining democracy in the Dominican Republic and Mesoamerica, CAFTA would impact many Coloradans. Current US sugar tariffs protect Colorado sugar beet farm families and cooperatives from cheaper foreign sugar cane. Most sugar beet farmers reside in House Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's 4th Congressional District.

ACTION: Contact Rep. Musgrave's office and express your opposition to CAFTA. Educate new Colorado congress members about the impacts of this legislation before it is voted on. DJPC is planning to meet with congressional members, specifically with Senator Salazar, in February. If you are interested in participating or for more information please contact us at 303-623-1463. For more information about CAFTA please visit the DJPC's globalization webpage or STOP CAFTA at www.stopcafta.org .