Senator Sherrod Brown speaks out

For Immediate Release

Monday, April 7, 2008

SENATOR SHERROD BROWN CALLS PROPOSED COLOMBIAN FTA BETRAYAL OF MIDDLE CLASS

Brown Says Trade Pact Continuation of Failed Trade Polices Hurt Workers

and Businesses at Home and Abroad

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today called the proposed Colombian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) a betrayal of the middle class. Brown said the trade pact is a continuation of trade policies that hurt workers at home and abroad. He released the following

statement:

"Congress will not pass a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. The Colombian government has stood by and watched continued violence against union leaders. Its response has been unacceptable."

"The proposed Colombia FTA betrays small businesses, it betrays workers, and it betrays consumers. Colombian workers earn little more than $600 a month. This FTA is much less about finding new markets for American goods than it is a continuation of this administration's failed trade policy - a policy that exploits workers in developing nations, fosters unsafe working conditions, and allows unsafe products and food into our country."

"There will be no backroom deals to save this agreement - it stands alone, and it will be defeated in the open."

"Middle class families in Ohio and throughout the country are struggling. Our economy is in a state of crisis - in employment, housing, energy, and financial markets. This is another job-killing trade agreement that betrays our middle class."

"We want trade and plenty of it - but under rules that raise standards and ensure our exports have a lasting and sustainable market of consumers."

"Trade can be a development tool, but the way this administration has pursued trade is not promoting sustainable development. We want trade with countries that will open lasting markets for American goods, not just sources for cheap labor. The American people want a pro-trade, pro-development, pro-labor, and forward-looking approach."