Bush Sending Congress Colombia Pact

MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP
Monday, April 7, 2008

President Bush plans to announce that he is sending a controversial free trade agreement with Colombia to Congress, an administration official said Monday. The move will force a congressional vote within 90 days.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Bush plans to make the announcement Monday in the White House Rose Garden.

Bush's action will force Congress to take up the proposal under a fast-track process that will require votes within 90 days. Officials said Bush is acting now in order to force a vote before Congress leaves in the fall for the campaign season.

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The agreement would tear down trade barriers between the two nations but is heavily opposed by congressional Democrats, who contend that Colombia has not done enough to halt violence, protect labor activists and demobilize paramilitary organizations.

Bush, who has staked out free trade as one of his top legacies, is also hoping to win congressional approval before he leaves office on pending free trade agreements with Panama and South Korea.

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