Rubén Hinojosa: “I rise in support of H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act. For years, Latin American countries…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act. For years, Latin American countries have struggled to strengthen their economies to ensure a better quality of life for their people. I have visited many of these countries and know firsthand the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done. Since the inception of the APTA in 1981, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador have worked hard to reduce their narcotics trade and to move workers into nondrug-related industries. Because of APTA, they have increased their exports to the U.S.A. by almost 80 percent and have created an estimated 140,000 jobs in their region. This trade, however, has not been one-sided. The U.S.A. has benefited by becoming the largest exporter to the APTA countries. Two-way trade has doubled since 1991. This increase in exports has expanded job opportunities in the U.S.A. Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador are on the front lines in our war against narcotics, and we need to do everything we can to help them win this war. By extending this act for another 5 years, we will encourage democracy, free enterprise and economic security in the region. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”