Rich Neal: “I want to make a quick note of this. Is the previous speaker arguing that NAFTA derailed illegal immigration to the…”

“I want to make a quick note of this. Is the previous speaker arguing that NAFTA derailed illegal immigration to the United States or slowed it down? Mr. Speaker, let me stand in opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Let me say at the outset that I do not reflexively oppose international trade. The previous speaker noted the trade agreements he has voted against. Let me talk about the trade agreements I have voted for, all of them from this administration: Australia, Singapore, Chile, Morocco; and in the past, China, GATT and WTO. I know that done the right way with carefully balanced provisions, these agreements can expand the U.S. economy and create jobs. Trade can really be good for American workers and American businesses. Indeed, I believe we could have struck an acceptable agreement with Central America. I have no choice but to oppose this agreement because it failed to reach a crucial balance. In truth, it did not even come close. CAFTA would exacerbate the crisis in our country's trade deficit, and it is completely unfair to U.S. workers and companies. We have already got trade deficits with every one of the CAFTA countries, and this agreement will only make that situation worse. What is more, it is the first time that the United States has negotiated a trade agreement with developing countries that have weak labor laws and histories of violent suppression of worker rights.…”