The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to vote on the implementing legislation for the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) before the Congress leaves for its August recess at the end of this month. As we advised in a Counsel’s Report ALERT dated July 1, the Senate approved the implementing legislation by a vote of 54 to 45, and the House Ways and Means Committee favorably reported the legislation by a 25 to 16 vote.
However, all indications are that a vote in the full House of Representatives is still “too close to call,” and that grassroots political support is essential for a favorable outcome. As noted in an ALERT dated June 29:
“Although the CAFTA has limited direct relevance to most AFI members, its long-term consequences will impact nearly everyone’s interests. It is quite possible that a defeat for CAFTA will mean the end of this Administration’s free trade agreements agenda, including a proposed Andean and Thailand FTA. It would be difficult to imagine a consensus for continuing multilateral negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas or the Doha Round of talks under the WTO in the wake of a CAFTA defeat.”
Members are strongly encouraged to send out (by email or fax) the political action letter attached to our June 29 ALERT to their Congressional Representative (see links below), and to do so as soon as possible. Any Member that needs a fresh copy of that letter or that needs contact information for their Representative should contact Bob Bauer or Jeff Levin at jsl@saslaw.com.
We will continue to keep Members advised.
