Congressman Huelskamp: Mr. President, Submit Free Trade Agreements to Congress
August 2, 2011
Congressman Huelskamp: Mr. President, Submit Free Trade Agreements to Congress
(DODGE CITY, KAN.) – Congressman Tim Huelskamp responded to the President's desire to finalize Korean, Colombian, and Panamanian trade agreements when Congress returns in September:
"Mr. President, I too, look forward to passage of the free trade agreements," Congressman Huelskamp said. "I was optimistic when you said at the end of last year that ratifying these agreements was a top priority. Unfortunately, the American people and the media whom you addressed today did not hear the other side of the story: you are solely responsible for blocking the advancement of deals with Korea, Panama, and Colombia. Your refusal to send these agreements to Congress for approval is not endorsed by members of either party, as evidenced by the mock mark-ups that were held in both chambers. Members of your own party reject your obstructionism."
"Every day that goes by without these trade agreements is a missed opportunity. With unemployment lagging, manufacturing declining, and overall economic growth stagnating, these agreements would provide immediate relief and opportunity to reverse these negative trends. Like every other state in the nation, Kansas would benefit tremendously both in economic activity and job creation as a result of finalizing these agreements."
"For all the talk of jobs, Mr. President, why are you denying Kansans the opportunity to pursue their economic freedom and achieve economic security? Why are you denying Kansans the ability to sell their goods to ready-and-willing buyers in Korea, Panama, and Colombia? This economy cannot and will not succeed if we are prohibited from selling to the more than nine-in-ten of the world's consumers who live outside of the United States' borders. For Kansas, the bounty from these trade agreements is plentiful: hundreds of millions in economic activity and thousands of new jobs. Isn't that something we all want?"
"Mr. President, if you are ready for these agreements to be finalized, please submit them to Congress for approval. Like you, we are all anxious to begin 21st-Century trading partnerships with Korea, Panama, and Colombia."
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