–House Passes All Three Trade Accords By Large Margins
–House Approves US-South Korea Deal, 278 to 151
–House Passes US-Panama Pact, 300 to 129, Colombia Accord, 262 to 167
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – After years of negotiations and partisan
bickering, the House Wednesday evening passed pending bilateral trade
agreements between the U.S. and Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
The House passed the U.S.-South Korea accord, 278 to 151, the
U.S.-Panama agreement, 300 to 129 and the U.S.-Colombia accord 262 to
167.
The Senate is set to vote on the three agreements Wednesday night.
At the insistence of President Obama and congressional Democrats,
both chambers have also approved funds for a program for displaced
workers, the so-called Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
Obama formally submitted the trade agreements on Oct. 3.
The agreements were first negotiated under the George W. Bush
administration but stalled when Democrats won control of both the House
and Senate in the 2006 mid-term elections.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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