Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a member of the Trade Sub-Committee on the House Ways & Means Committee, made the following statement regarding Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to bring the U.S. - Colombia trade agreement up for a vote during the lame duck session:

“This is a major foreign policy blunder with damaging consequences to America’s leadership abroad and efforts to create more jobs here at home.

“Turning our back on Colombia, an ally that is making incredible democratic progress, will be seen by the world as an embarrassing retreat from open trade. It’s another sign that America’s new leadership is choosing a dangerously partisan, isolationist path. Plus, turning away new customers for America in Colombia’s dynamic economy while allowing Colombia access to our market makes no sense whatsoever in this economic climate.”