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Thursday, June 30, 2005 |
A familiar saying could describe how debate on CAFTA has gone on the Senate floor today, "Everything there is to say about CAFTA has been said, just not everyone has said it yet." Senators have gravitated into groups of supporters and opponents of the trade agreement, with the opponents being a bipartisan group of Senators who have two primary concerns. The largest sticking point has centered around provisions regarding increased sugar imports, which are opposed by Senator Thomas and Senator Crapo. Other members have expressed their concerns that CAFTA would cause job loss in the U.S. as Central American countries who are able to provide cheaper labor would see job growth at our expense. A vote on final passage is expected later this evening.
5:56:59 PM 
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More From the Floor coverage was interrupted yesterday evening due to the evacuation of the Capitol and the Senate office buildings. The Senate passed the Interior Appropriations bill 94-0 and also voted 61-34 to proceed to consideration of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
This morning debate has begun on this legislation and senators have begun to stake out their positions on the bill. Senator Dorgan warned that CAFTA will produce job loses throughout the country and used a floor chart to illustrate his point. Senator Allard countered this argument with a chart of his own and other members argued that CAFTA is important to the shipping industries in their states. An agreement has been reached that will allow up to 16 hours of debate on CAFTA, though much of this time is expected to be yielded back. After all the allotted time is consumed or yielded back to the chair, a vote will occur on passage of CAFTA.
Roll call votes are expected today as the Majority Leader has expressed his hopes that the Senate will be able to complete work on the Legislative Branch and the Energy and Water appropriations bills before the Senate recesses for the week of July 4th.
10:43:00 AM
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