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August 20, 2008 5:21:43 PM CDT

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Bush to Give Congress Colombia Bill

Posted Apr 7, 08 7:51 PM CDT in World,  Business,  Politics 

(Newser) – President Bush said today he is handing Congress a much-disputed Colombia free trade pact, the Washington Post reports. But with both Democratic presidential candidates and many lawmakers opposing it, the bill has little chance of passing. Democrats have long blasted Colombia for failing to protect labor advocates and curb violence. "Workers are routinely murdered for seeking to exercise their most basic economic rights," Sen. Harry Reid said.

But Bush says the pact will boost the US economy and aid national security. It will also act as leverage against the "hostile and anti-American regime in Venezuela," where President Hugo Chavez backs the FARC leftist militia. Bush's plan to send the pact to Congress comes only one day after Hillary Clinton's top adviser quit for his role in promoting it.

Source Washington Post

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President Bush arrives to make remarks on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Bush makes remarks on the Columbia Free Trade Agreement, Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks with Defense Secretary Robert Gates prior to President Bush making remarks on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Monday, April 7, 2007, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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George W. Bush  • Democrats  • Colombia  • Latin America  • Alvaro Uribe  • free trade  • Colombia Free Trade Pact


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