Max Baucus: “John F. Kennedy once said: ``Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.''…”

“John F. Kennedy once said: ``Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.'' President Bush has said that he intends to submit the implementing legislation for the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. He did so against the will of Congress, and he thus did not seek the right answer. He did not even bother with the Republican or the Democratic answer. The administration simply chose the easy answer. The administration's easy answer is also the wrong answer. It is the wrong answer for American workers. It is the wrong answer for the administration's relationship with Congress. It is the wrong answer for Colombian workers. The Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is a good trade agreement that will level the playing field for America's exporters. It will open the new export market for American products, including Montana beef, wheat, and barley, and it will bolster a close ally in a troubled region. Expanding trade and supporting Colombia are important priorities. That is why the administration should have handled this agreement the right way. Had the administration sought the right answer, it would have worked harder to support my top priority: American workers. Had the administration not rushed forward with the easy answer, we could have had trade adjustment assistance in place before considering this agreement. We need expanded and effective trade adjustment assistance for America's workers. That is clear.”