The Obama administration unveiled a revised free-trade pact with Colombia April 6 that boosts the chances for congressional passage not only of that agreement, but also of the other two pending agreements with Panama and South Korea.
The deal requires Colombia to stiffen its laws to provide greater protection of Colombian labor organizers and up to five years' imprisonment for those who disrupt or threaten union organizing or activities. Among other things, the government of Colombia agreed to eliminate by July 30 a backlog of requests by union members for special protection; to hire 95 police investigators by the end of the year to help prosecute anti-union violence; and to implement by June, two years ahead of schedule, regulations that fine businesses for using subsidiaries and other affiliates to thwart collective bargaining.
By satisfying at least some Democrats concerned about Bogota's history of violence against union leaders, the deal sets the stage for action on trade pacts with South Korea and Panama, senior administration officials said. However, Republican leaders propose to move the three trade pacts in a similar time frame, if not together. To retain Democratic support needed to pass the agreements, lawmakers say they must also renew a Trade Adjustment Assistance program for workers who are displaced as a result of trade agreements.
In spite of last week's apparent progress, the announcement doesn't appear to do much to alter the tough political environment on Capitol Hill that the trade deals face, with top Republicans continuing to demand immediate action on all three pacts and some Democrats skeptical of the deals and remaining opposed.
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Republicans would continue to hold up any trade-related nominees until all three pending free trade deals are actually submitted. "It stands until we get these through," he told reporters during a conference call.
However, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk continues to resist calls by Republican leaders for all three deals to be submitted together. "We believe that, as the agreements are ready, Congress should consider them individually," he said during a conference call with reporters.
Before an implementing bill is formally introduced, which begins the process, Congress and the administration usually hold discussions on the draft legislation are usually held and the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees hold "mock markups" of the legislation.
Once the Ways and Means Committee submits implementing legislation to the full House, that chamber would be required to conduct an up-or-down vote (no amendments) within 60 legislative days. The Senate they would have another 30 legislative days after the House voted.
