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Camp, Brady Say Colombia’s Labor Rights Progress Shows it is Time For the Administration to Send the Colombia Trade Agreement to Congress

June 13, 2011

Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statements today after the Administration announced that Colombia had complied with all elements of the Action Plan Related to Labor Rights that were due by June 15, 2011:

Chairman Camp stated:  “Colombia has again met its commitments, and it is time for the U.S. to meet its commitment by moving forward with the long-pending trade agreement with this critical ally.  I urge the Administration to do its part and submit the Colombia trade agreement for Congressional consideration.  We cannot afford to delay any further.  U.S. workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses will continue to lose market share to competitors from countries that have ratified trade agreements with Colombia while we let our own agreement languish.  The time for U.S. action is now.”

Trade Subcommittee Chairman Brady commented:  “I congratulate Colombia and President Santos on this impressive achievement.  The action plan has proven itself an effective vehicle for Colombia’s progress on labor rights.  The immediate passage of the Colombia trade agreement is critical for our economy and the creation of new American jobs.  President Obama must demonstrate that Colombia can count on the United States to do its part by promptly sending up the Colombia trade agreement to Congress.”

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