Chuck Grassley: “I rise to express my regret of that happening and to express my support for the fact that the Andean Trade Preferences…”

“I rise to express my regret of that happening and to express my support for the fact that the Andean Trade Preferences Act legislation should be on the floor and should have been considered by now. I am concerned if the Senate doesn't act early on the Andean trade bill, that America's continued leadership in the international arena of trade will be severely impaired. Specifically, I fear our failure to approve this legislation in a timely manner will undermine our ability to constructively engage with our Latin American neighbors at a time when many of them face enormous economic and political challenges. Today, President Bush leaves on an important mission to Latin America. Just on Saturday, he will visit Peru, one of the Andean nations, where he will meet with four Andean leaders. President Bush's trip builds on a long tradition of promoting vigorous United States engagement with Latin America that started as far back as President Kennedy's Alliance for Progress in the 1960s. As did President Kennedy, President Bush has a vision for Latin America.”