April 09,2008

Baucus Comments on House Action Regarding Colombia Trade Agreement

MEMORANDUM

To: Reporters and Editors
From: Carol Guthrie for Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Re: House action regarding Colombia trade agreement

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus commented today regarding the House of
Representatives’ proposed action regarding the pending trade agreement between the U.S. and Colombia.

From Chairman Baucus:

“This decision by the House on the Colombia trade agreement is not at all surprising,
given the President’s unprecedented effort to force Congress into a vote. I'm concerned
that the President's hasty action will not only throw the Colombia deal off track, but may
make the larger trade debate a lot more contentious. Congress and the White House are
going to need to take a step back from the brink, focus on renewing an agreement on
Trade Adjustment Assistance for American workers, and then consider the Colombia deal
on its merits.”

The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over U.S. trade policy.

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