Pelosi Floor Statement on Colombia Free Trade Agreement

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in support of a new rule that suspends the requirement that the Colombia Free Trade Agreement be considered within 60 legislative days in the House â€" giving Congress the prerogative in scheduling a vote. Below are her prepared remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, the vote of the House today is a vote to put the economic priorities of the American people first.

"It is my hope that we will vote to merely remove the timetable on the Colombia free trade agreement so we can focus on restoring America's economic strength and being to create jobs again. We will do so for three reasons.

"First and foremost - the White House sent it without the votes to pass.

"Second, we have concerns still about the treatment and safety of Colombian workers.

"Third, the President has made this a key part of his legacy - so we know the American worker now has some power in this negotiation about what could accompany a Colombia trade deal.

"With this vote today, we have put the leverage back into the hands of America's working families.

"I counseled the President against sending the Colombia Free Trade Agreement this week because we need additional time to reach a negotiated path forward. This was particularly critical given that the Administration's failure to secure the necessary votes for the agreement could jeopardize our long-standing relationship with a crucial ally.

"By his actions on Tuesday, the President abandoned the traditions of consultation that have governed past agreements. In fact, the action in the House today is more in keeping of the spirit of the rules than the White House's move to force a vote.

"Most significantly, all of our energies must be focused today and in the days ahead on alleviating the real economic hardship families are feeling and taking tangible steps to get our economy back on track. This vote gives us that leverage.

"As I told the President, all of the evidence points to the economic downturn becoming more serious, as evidenced by the employment numbers released on Friday, the statements by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and now as recently as yesterday, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan.

"So we will put this agreement to the side today so that we can continue to work to address the needs of American families.

"We have legislation ready for action that would further address the mortgage lending crisis and we are ready to work with the President on a second stimulus package to get our economy back on track and creating jobs. That must be our first priority."