"With
just two weeks to go until the August recess, Republican House leaders are
possibly facing do-or-die time for the Central America Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA). The Republican whip operation is running at full throttle, making deals
on China policy and textile production at a fast clip in the hopes of wooing
just enough members off the fence to pass the pivotal trade pact." (The Hill
newspaper, July 20, 2005)
Yes, time is running out. Closed-door
deals are being made. Arms are being twisted. Pressure builds as
not-so-subtle taxpayer-funded bribes are offered.
"At a closed-door
meeting of House Republicans yesterday, Rep. Bill Thomas (Calif.) sidled up to
the lectern and hinted that the leadership might look more favorably on
lawmakers' requests for highways and bridges if they vote for the Central
American Free Trade Agreement, according to three GOP witnesses." (The
Washington Post, July 21, 2005)
In other words, "Want that highway
project back home? You had better vote for CAFTA. Want that new
bridge? You had better vote for CAFTA even though you know it is bad for
America."
One of the first House members to be bought off was Congressman
Phil English (R-Penn.). Mr. English had always opposed CAFTA, but just a
few days ago he sold out. He now says he is "comfortable" voting for
CAFTA. This puts the pro-CAFTA forces one critical vote closer to having
the 218 votes they need to pass it in the U.S. House.
What's the vote
count? According to Congress Daily, 105 House members will vote "yes" or
are leaning to vote "yes" on CAFTA with 166 members who will vote "no" or are
leaning to vote "no." That leaves 163 House members who are undecided or
aren't saying. To stop CAFTA, we must convince at least 53 of those 163
members to vote against CAFTA.
The House will likely vote on CAFTA
Wednesday or Thursday of next week. The vote will be extremely close --
just like the vote was on the Medicare prescription-drug bill where House
leaders were willing to resort to bribes and out-right threats to
win.
"According to the administration and House aides, the White House
has authorized Republican leaders to secure votes with whatever is at hand, from
amendments [read pork-barrel projects in their respective districts] to the
highway and energy bills to the still incomplete appropriations bills."
(The Washington Post, July 21, 2005)
So, between now and next week, the
pro-CAFTA forces are working overtime. Deals are being made on highway
projects, bridges, committee chairmanships, rides on Air Force One, dinners at
the White House, campaign contributions, and countless pork projects that have
nothing whatsoever to do with CAFTA or true free trade.
Faced with all
this, what can we do? Representatives who change their vote to support
CAFTA in return for the promise of pork-barrel projects in their district or
rides on Air Force One think they will impress the voters back home by "bringing
home the bacon." You are that voter back home. It's up to you.
Are you impressed? Only hearing from you can convince your representative
that politics as usual won't work this time. In fact, it
stinks.
Will you let your representative know there will be a price to
pay for selling out? You do that when you contact his office and let him
know you are informed and watching. That's the only language most of our
elected officials seem to understand.
And that's why what you do right
now is so important.
Now take action. If your representative is against CAFTA,
tell him "thank you, don't bend under pressure, I support you!" If he is
for CAFTA, urge him to change his mind -- it is important you make it clear that
you oppose CAFTA.
If your representative is undecided, convince him to
vote against it and tell him no matter what payoff he might be offered, there is
nothing worth the damage CAFTA will do to America.
CAFTA can
be defeated in the U.S. House next week, but you must act. More than ever,
what you do matters.
Then call your U.S.
representative. The U.S. Capitol switchboard phone number is 202-224-3121
or use our directory at http://capwiz.com/liberty/dbq/officials/ .
