Washington, DC – Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statements today after the Administration agreed to move forward with technical discussions with Congress on all three pending trade agreements:

Chairman Camp stated:  “Today is a good day for U.S. workers and the economy because we are now able to take an important step toward approval of our long-pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.  These agreements, which have been delayed for far too long, will expand U.S. exports and create good U.S. jobs.  I look forward to beginning immediately the technical discussions on these agreements so that all three can be ready for Congressional consideration by July 1.  The longer it takes, the more market share and job creation we risk losing to our competitors.  I also look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to advance the other elements of the U.S. trade agenda, among them our preferences programs, trade adjustment assistance, WTO accessions, and ongoing and new trade negotiations.

“I also want to commend Colombia on the impressive progress that it has made in completing major elements of the Action Plan Related to Labor Rights to which President Obama and Colombian President Santos agreed last month.  I led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Colombia two weeks ago to see first-hand Colombia’s strong commitment to completing each element of the action plan, and I was pleased with the tremendous progress that I saw.”

Trade Subcommittee Chairman Brady commented:  “I am very pleased by this announcement.  American businesses can’t win if they aren’t allowed to compete for new customers in countries like Colombia.  These trade agreements represent opportunities to create American jobs, strengthen our economy, and bolster U.S. leadership.  I look forward to the Administration promptly submitting all three agreements to Congress to allow us to consider them by July 1.”