Bush pushes three trade agreements

[Judi Lynn]

Source: L. A. Times

Bush pushes three trade agreements

http://www.latimes.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2008-01/35021679.jpg
Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

President George W. Bush addresses employees at the Robinson Helicopter Co. in Torrance. Joining him are Frank Robinson, left, founder and president of the firm, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The president, speaking at a helicopter plant in Torrance, asks Congress to approve pacts with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. He says the deals would create jobs in the U.S.
By James Gerstenzang, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
January 31, 2008

Declaring that "free trade means good-paying jobs for Americans," President Bush used the nation's largest helicopter manufacturer as a backdrop Wednesday to pressure Congress to pass three trade agreements that are among the top priorities of his final year in office.
(snip)

In Washington, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, promised to hold up the agreements until a new program was approved to aid U.S. workers who lost their jobs because of foreign competition.

"I simply cannot support, or consider moving, these agreements in the Senate until we realize the goal of expanded and reauthorized trade adjustment assistance," Baucus said in a speech at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Baucus, like other leading Democrats, cited other concerns about the trade agreements.

He questioned whether Colombia had "made sufficient improvements in the apprehension and prosecution of persons responsible for the killing of labor leaders."



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-bush31jan31,1,7757682.story

[Judi Lynn]

1. Bush trade deals must take back seat: senator

Bush trade deals must take back seat: senator
Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:30pm EST

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House has no chance of winning approval of free trade pacts with Colombia, South Korea and Panama until the U.S. Congress passes new legislation to help workers who have lost their jobs because of trade, a senior Democratic senator said on Wednesday.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, said in a speech he would not begin action on the three free trade agreements until Congress and the Bush administration agree on measures to expand the federal trade adjustment assistance program.

"Let me be clear. This task and no other must be our nation's trade policy priority. Until we accomplish it, other issues on today's trade agenda must take a back seat," Baucus said.

Current U.S. public anxiety about trade and globalization makes it necessary for Congress to turn its attention to the trade adjustment assistance program before addressing the trade pacts, Baucus said.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3033572020080130?rpc=401&

[Lasher]

2. What's this, The Decider's Farewell Comedy Tour?

He says the deals would create jobs in the U.S.

"...free trade means good-paying jobs for Americans..."

Good on Senator Baucus, but instead of aid for US workers who lose their jobs, how about legislation to ensure they don't lose their jobs to start with?

'Free' trade agreements have been working so well for us, how could we go wrong by entering into more of them?

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Eek! Ahnuld's face made me think of a facelift scene from "Brazil" ... nt