07/29/05 The CAFTA-DR vote

07/29/05 The CAFTA-DR vote

Washington Ag July 29, 2005 It was close, but on a 217 to 215 vote the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. Republican Doc Hastings was one of four members of Washington's delegation in the House that supported the trade agreement and he spoke from the House floor about the benefits for agriculture. Hastings: "Mr. Speaker more than half of current U.S. farm exports to Central American and the Dominican Republic will gain immediately duty free access including beef, wheat, wine, fruits and vegetables. In particular the agreement includes a provision I worked for that would grant Central Washington's apples, pear and cherry growers immediate duty free access to Central America and Dominican Republic markets. These tariffs currently range from 14 to 25%." Republican congresswoman Cathy McMorris also voted for CAFTA-DR. She only publicly announced her support earlier this week saying it was not an easy decision but that despite concerns about the trade agreement, she ultimately believes it will bring new opportunities, job creation and greater security for Eastern Washington and America. Republican Dave Reichert and Democrat Norm Dicks also supported CAFTA. Democrats, Inslee, Larsen, Baird, McDermott and Smith voted against it. I'm Bob Hoff.
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