House Votes to Delay Action on Colombia FTA

April 11, 2008

On April 11, 2008, the United States House of Representatives voted 224 to 195 in favor of H. Res. 1092 to delay voting on H.R. 5724, a bill that would implement the United States – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA).   This action, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, challenges the credibility of the administration to carry out negotiations to open up markets abroad and is seen as a setback for America’s closest ally in South America.  Some analysts view this move as election year strategy and the delay in the vote as being critical to the final passage of the US-Colombia Agreement.

On April 7, 2008, President Bush signed a letter to send Congress legislation to implement the Colombia TPA.  This TPA, or Free Trade Agreement (FTA), will now move out of “fast track” and will come up for a vote when the speaker decides that the time is right for the American people.  Under “fast track” measures, the House has to vote on the FTA within 60 legislative days – 45 days for the House Ways and Means Committee and 15 days for the House.  Specifically, Ms. Pelosi would like to address economic concerns of Americans, reach an agreement with the White House on specific measures to implement solutions for the current economic turbulence and would then bring this vote back to the House for consideration.   There is no set timing for the vote at this point, but pro-agreement lobbyists would like to see action before the November election.  Given the views of Presidential candidates in the Democratic party, it is clear that a party change in the White House may be a huge set back for this agreement if it does not come up for vote before the elections. 

There is speculation that a vote on the Colombia TPA may be held in the lame-duck session, when Congress meets following the November elections and before the inauguration of the next Congress.  In the coming days, renewed calls for strengthening Trade Adjustment Assistance and a second economic stimulus package are expected to keep Congress and the White House occupied, as the Colombia, Korea and Panama agreements are put on hold.

Click here for information regarding the agreement and the issues that led to Pelosi’s move.