On the recordJune 23, 2010
I want to congratulate the Colombian people and President-elect Santos on a successful and democratic election. Madam Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record this editorial from The Washington Post calling on the administration and congressional Democrats to support the incoming Santos administration by acting on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. President-elect Santos will continue the great work done by President Uribe to strengthen the rule of law and improve the lives of all Colombians. Colombian workers are safer now than ever before. Despite this progress, Colombia faces real challenges. Venezuela has imposed a trade embargo because of Colombia's strong support for the United States, severely damaging the Colombian economy. We have a powerful tool to help Colombia weather the embargo, the U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. With this agreement, the United States would provide both economic and political support for a truly democratic government and a longstanding ally. Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress have denied us even the opportunity for a simple up-or-down vote on the agreement.
