Eyes Left

"The Representatives Who Passed CAFTA"

The passage of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) was one more notable victory for corporate $$$$$$ employers who want third world cheap labor to produce their goods, but it was one more dispiriting defeat for American workers and the American economy, because CAFTA is based on this premise:  the export of good paying manufacturing jobs from the United States  to "low wage" and "slave wage" environments in the Third World.  The policy makes absolutely no sense.  It will aggravate America's trade deficit.  Therefore, the success of the Bush Administration and the Congressional Republican leadership in persuading a recalcitrant House to approve CAFTA is an exhibit of astonishing political skill. 

CAFTA passed the Senate 55-43, but the House vote was narrowly decided, 217-215.  On paper, the switch of a single vote would have doomed the agreement.  But the House GOP Leadership was determined not to lose - they would have found 217 votes, even if the roll call lasted all night.  Certain Republican Representatives deserved special oppobrium for their duplicity.  Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC), a declared opponent of CAFTA, never voted.  He claimed that his voting device jammed.  This was pure subterfuge.  Rep. Joanne Davis (R-Va), a conservative Republican with a small streak of economic populism (her core constituency is lower middle class evangelical white voters who like Pat Robertson), was pledged to oppose CAFTA, but she conveniently missed the vote to attend a Boy Scout Jamboree event.  Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC), a multimillionaire textile heir with a "Textile Belt" district that has been economically devastated by "free trade" policies, initially voted "No" in the early moments of the roll call, but switched his vote to "yes" just before the GOP Leadership gaveled the vote to a close.  Rep. Shelly Capito (R-W Va), who represents a culturally conservative but economically populist district that is vehemently opposed to "free trade" directed by Exxon/Mobil and Wall Street, voted against CAFTA - but Capito refused to cast her vote until the very end of the roll call, which gave Republican leaders enough times to twist arms to gain a majority.  Freshmen GOP Representatives Charles Boustany (Louisiana), Bobby Jindal (Louisiana), and Patrick McHenry (North Carolina) are normally ultraconservative reliable supporters of "Team Bush", but they all voted "NO" on CAFTA.  However, they followed the lead of Representative Capito, and did not cast their votes until the very end of the roll call.  Boustany and Jindal were responding to lobby pressure from the Lousiana's sugar industry, which would suffere severe wounds from CAFTA, while McHenry's district is dependent on textiles and furniture.  Rep. Steve Latourette (Ohio), a somewhat moderate Republican from the Cleveland suburbs, provided the 217th vote for CAFTA just after midnight, despite its expected severe impact on furniture manufacturing interests in his district.  Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (Penn), who represents suburban Philadelphia, provided the 216th vote. 

On critical issues, Representatives should take a position and stick to it.  They should say, "This is my position - and my position is not open to discussion or negotiation - period".  An absolute declaration will keep the arm twisting dragons away. 

The House GOP Leadership and President Bush were determined to win the CAFTA vote.  Because enough Representatives were willing to abandon their good judgment, CAFTA passed.  The GOP Congressional Leadership operates on this principle - "Failure is not an option" - when important floor votes are being decided. 

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