Max Baucus: “I appreciate the work of the majority and minority leaders in putting this agreement together tonight. It sounds as if…”

“I appreciate the work of the majority and minority leaders in putting this agreement together tonight. It sounds as if we will be able to get home for recess. I will say a few words about the Chile and Singapore free trade agreements. Today the Senate begins its debate on implementing the United States- Singapore and United States-Chile Free Trade Agreements. Bringing these bills to the floor this month has been a priority for me, as I know it has been for Senator Grassley. Timely passage will allow these two important agreements to go into effect as planned on January 1, 2004. And passage will user in a new era of enhanced economic ties between the United States and two important trading partners. These are the first bills to come before the Senate under the renewed fast-track procedures adopted last year in the Trade Act of 2002.”