legislative

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: June 2004

CAFTA Lobbying

The DJPC has continued its lobbying efforts in the last month with visits to the district offices of both of Colorado's senators, Wayne Allard and Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Each senator was again given a summary of the issues surrounding CAFTA, and first-hand reports of how the trade agreement would negatively affect Guatemala and El Salvador from DJPC members Jane Covode and Harriet Mullaney.

Senator Campbell is opposed to most trade agreements negotiated under Fast-Track Trade status. Fast-Track allows the President to submit a trade agreement that cannot be amended, and is limited to 20 hours of debate in both the House and Senate before being voted upon. Campbell has also criticized many of the provisions of NAFTA that were written into CAFTA as well. District Director Ricardo LaFore indicated that he would pass on the concerns of the DJPC to Senator Campbell, and it seems likely that Campbell will vote against CAFTA if it comes before the Senate this term. Campbell is not seeking reelection after his term expires this year.

Senator Allard has supported every trade agreement to come before the Senate. He is ranked as the most supportive member of free trade in the Senate by the CATO Institute, and it seems unlikely that Allard will vote against the agreement whatever its flaws. However, these weaknesses were addressed in a conversation a DJPC delegation had with Constituent Advocate Anne Brewster at Allard's District Office. Despite Allard's strong support for trade agreements such as CAFTA, she said she would make Senator Allard aware of the objections to CAFTA.

Contact Senators and Representatives to voice your opposition to CAFTA.

CAFTA Update

CAFTA was officially signed by United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Representatives from the Central American nations involved on May 28, 2004. President Bush had earlier notified Congress on his intent to sign CAFTA on February 20, 2004. The signing ceremony took place in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Whether CAFTA will be heard before Congress is still unknown. Many groups, especially labor, environmental and farm interests, have opposed CAFTA, and congressional opposition to the agreement remains strong.

Take action to support fair and equitable trade:

Help to educate your Senators and US Representatives on the implications of the agreement. Speak out for fair agreements that raise labor standards and support transparent democratic processes.
Make CAFTA an issue in the 2004 Presidential campaign, by holding the candidates accountable to issues important to you.

Click here for a sample letter

Military Aid to Colombia

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe had previously asked for the U.S. to raise the number of military personnel and civilian contractors allowed in the country as part of Plan Colombia. The U.S. currently limits military personnel in the country at 400, and Uribe asked that limit be doubled. He made the request during a March 23 visit to Washington, and commented that he has received support for his proposal from both Senate Majority leading Bill Frist and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. Such a change in policy would require Congressional approval.

This approval may be given as part of the 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill. The House version of the Bill included a coompromise amendment to raise the number of troops allowed into Colombia from 400 to 500, while keeping the cap on contractors in place at 400. However, the Senate version of the Defense Bill grants the administration's request for new 800/600 troop/contractor caps. Senator Byrd (D-WV) had introduced an amendment to include the 500/400 limits in the Senate version of the legislation as well. Unfortunately, the Byrd amendment lost by a vote of 58-40.

There is still a chance to limit US troop presence in Colombia. The House version of the Defense Authorization bill keeps the number of troops and contractors limited to 500 and 400 respectively, thanks to an amendment offered by Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi. The Senate and House bills do not have to be reconciled in the joint conference committee. Historically, many efforts to improve US-Latin America policy have passed one of the houses, only to be thrown out behind the closed doors of the conference committee.

Click here to find out what you can do.

Visit the Latin American Working Group Website to sign a petition to limit U.S. military aid to Colombia- http://www.lawg.org/tools/petition.htm