Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Woodlands), fresh from a fact-finding trip to Colombia, will take to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow to blast the Democrat leadership for manipulating rules that allow for timely consideration of trade agreements.  The vote will put off consideration of a trade agreement with Colombia until a politically convenient time – which few in Congress believe will ever occur.
 
“The Democrats' unprecedented rules change is an embarrassment to Colombia, a staunch American ally, and an embarrassment to America,” says Brady. “Since when did the world’s beacon of democracy and free speech become afraid of simply debating and considering an agreement negotiated in good faith?”
 
“It’s also dangerous because the world, which has begun to view America as an unreliable leader in world trade, now will consider America an unreliable negotiator as well. Speaker Pelosi’s gambit to change the rules in the middle of the game will have far-reaching international consequences which will cost American jobs and leadership around the globe.”
 
Brady, who is a leader on opening new markets for American goods and services throughout the world, says House and Senate Democratic leaders have had fifteen months to sit down and work out a timetable with the White House on Colombia.
 
“I remain hopeful that cooler heads will prevail so that congressional leaders and the White House can find a way forward to allow full and fair consideration of the Colombia agreement.”  
 
Texas is the largest exporting state to Colombia with over $2 billion of sales to the South American country each year. Passage of the trade agreement will mean even more jobs in Texas, as well as strengthening a long-time partnership between the U.S. and Colombia to fight drug trafficking, terrorism and poverty in the Western Hemisphere.
 
From his seat on the Trade Sub-Committee of House Ways & Means Committee, Congressman Brady has fought for a strong economy and stabilized international relations.