Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) today called on the U.S. Congress to support an important ally, Colombia, at a critical time as it fights terrorists supported by neighboring governments.  
 
Last weekend, after a successful attack by Colombian troops against the leaders of the terrorist group FARC using Ecuador as a safe haven, neighboring Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered his troops to the border and bullied Ecuador to do the same.  Evidence seized by the Colombian government during the attack reveals that Chavez has been colluding with the terrorists.
 
“How many more troops must amass at Colombia’s border before Congress sends a strong signal that we are a full partner with Colombia in ending violence and bringing stability to the region?” asked Brady, a member of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways & Means Committee.  “Congress must act now to support an ally facing a crisis that threatens to undermine its democracy and harm its people. We can do this not by our military might, but by our economic might.
 
“The whole region is watching Congress. Will this new Democratic Congress turn its back on our ally, Colombia?”  
 
Bi-partisan support for the pending trade promotion agreement between the U.S. and Colombia is growing, says Brady.
 
“It is time to stop playing partisan games. It is time to stop talking. It is time to take action now to begin the approval process for the U.S.-Colombia trade agreement,” says Brady. “By our actions, we will oppose terror and instability in our backyard.”
 
Congressman Kevin Brady is a sixth-term Member of Congress who sits on the Trade Sub-Committee of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the Joint Economic Committee.