Ways & Means chair presses for right to vote on Colombia, Panama trade deals

Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) this morning asked for help in getting the Obama administration to send Colombia and Panama free trade legislation to Congress for passage. Camp's remarks came less than 24 hours after House Republicans pulled a House vote to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) act in an effort to pressure the administration on the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements (FTAs).

"I need you to do more," he said in prepared remarks to the American Action Forum this morning. "Increase the pressure on this White House to act on all three pending trade agreements, and just as importantly, explain back home why we need these agreements."

Camp did not make any specific mention in his prepared remarks about whether or when the TAA bill might be brought to the House floor, but focused his remarks on the lack of a broader trade agenda from the White House. He also said he continues to insist on an effort to approve these two agreements, and one with South Korea, by this summer.

"Frankly, I am very disappointed in the state of play on our Latin American FTAs," he said. "I have made it clear to the White House that all three agreements should be considered in the first six months of this year."

Camp this morning will chair a hearing with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and is expected to press Kirk for a more firm commitment to move Colombia and Panama, just as it as committed to move the Korea FTA.

Also this morning, Camp noted that when it comes to China, many in Congress want to focus to China's currency policy, but argued that this ignores the many other problems with China. Camp called for more efforts to get China to improve its intellectual property rights enforcement and reduce its subsidies, and also for the U.S. to resume efforts to conclude a bilateral investment treaty.

Legislation that would impose duties on imports from China in retaliation for its undervalued currency is expected to be reintroduced in Congress in the coming days and weeks.