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House Passes CAFTA
July 28, 2005 From: Alan Reuther

Unfortunately, late last night the House passed CAFTA by a vote of 217-215. 187 Democrats, 27 Republicans and 1 Independent voted against this trade deal. 202 Republicans and 15 Democrats voted for it. Two Republicans did not vote. A copy of the roll call on this vote is attached.

The 15 Democrats who voted wrong were: Bean, Cooper, Cuellar, Dicks, Hinojosa, Jefferson, Matheson, Meeks (N.Y.), Moore (KS), Moran (VA), Ortiz, Skelton, Snyder, Tanner, and Towns.

The 27 Republicans who voted right were: Boustany, Capito, Coble, Cubin, Foxx, Garrett (N.J.), Goode, Gutknecht, Hostettler, Hunter, Jindal, Jones (N.C.), LoBiondo, Mack, McCotter, McHenry, McHugh, Miller (MI), Ney, Norwood, Otter, Paul, Rehberg, Simmons, Simpson, Smith (N.J.), and Tancredo.

The two Republicans who did not vote were: Davis (VA) and Taylor (N.C.).

The GOP leaders had to keep the vote open for almost an hour while they twisted arms to come up with the votes to pass CAFTA. In particular, eight Republicans waited to vote until the very end. Hayes (N.C.) then switched his vote from "no" to "yes," and LaTourette and Fitzpatrick voted "yes". This allowed Jindal, Boustany, Simmons and Capito to then vote "no," and Taylor and Davis to skip the vote. In addition to promises of help in campaign fund raising, the GOP leaders used goodies
in the pending energy legislation and highway bill to buy votes for CAFTA.

The Democratic vote against CAFTA represents the most unified the Democrats have ever been against a trade agreement. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) led the effort to round up votes against this trade deal. Pelosi and Hoyer, the Democratic Leader and Whip, were also actively involved in urging Democrats to oppose CAFTA.

Although the final outcome is disappointing, the UAW and other unions can be proud of the campaign we waged against CAFTA. Many thanks to everyone for their efforts on this issue.

 


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