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NCGA Hails TPA Passage; Urges Quick Action from Senate
July
29, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA, 636-733-9004, ext. 112
Keira Franz 202-628-7001
(ST.
LOUIS) July 29, 2002 -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
is hailing the passage of trade promotion authority (TPA) as a victory
for agriculture and is crediting the dedication of the nation's corn
growers in getting the measure passed by a 215-212 vote Saturday morning.
"This victory
could not have been achieved without our growers," said NCGA President
Tim Hume. "NCGA asked growers to contact their elected officials
and plead their case for TPA and that's exactly what they did. I want
to thank each and every grower who answered the call. Without the grassroots
efforts of our members, we might have seen a very different result of
this vote.
"This is a
great victory for the nation's corn growers and agriculture overall,"
the Walsh, Colo., corn grower continued. "TPA will provide President
Bush the ability to negotiate trade agreements on behalf of the United
States and that will open new markets for corn growers."
Following on the
heels of the House approval of the conference report, a letter, signed
by Hume, was sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), urging
the senator to schedule the conference report for full Senate consideration
this week. "It is vital that U.S. agriculture has trade agreements
that enhance our ability to access foreign markets," the letter
states.
NCGA also sent a
letter to the representatives who voted for TPA, thanking them for their
landmark decision. The letter, signed by Hume, applauds the House's
effort "in support of the Conference Report...NCGA and its 32,000
members appreciate your commitment to trade agreements that are fair
to all sectors of our economy and that will achieve greater opportunities
for American farmers." The bill was narrowly approved, after a
late night/early morning session, the final vote coming at 3:30 a.m.
EST Saturday.
TPA, also known
as "fast track," is the trade negotiating authority Congress
has granted the previous five presidents. Under this authority, first
granted in 1974 to President Gerald Ford, the executive branch is required
to consult regularly with Congress and seek advice from various advisory
committees and the public as trade agreements are negotiated.
In return, Congress
agrees not to amend legislation implementing trade agreements. This
way, trade negotiators can make agreements supported by Congress without
the agreed-upon terms being changed after the negotiations end. It is
expected the Senate will pass the bill by a margin similar to the 66
to 30 vote in May on an earlier version.
For more information
regarding this matter, please visit NCGA's website at www.ncga.com.
# # #
The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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