WH to Send Trade Deals to Hill

The Hill reports:

U.S. trade officials on Wednesday cleared the way for Congress to vote on trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

The Obama administration will send all three pending trade deals to Capitol Hill as early as Thursday to begin technical discussions, the first step in the process of ratifying the pacts.

The White House completed work on the Korean deal in December and wrapped up final details with Panama last month. The administration has pushed for Congress to act quickly on the Korean accord, but Republicans threatened to stop all trade-related nominations unless the Colombia and Panama deals were also sent for approval.

The Colombia deal is more controversial with Democrats and organized labor because of charges that that country’s government has not done enough to convict those responsible for violence against union organizers.

Trade officials announced the deal with Colombia last month but made the agreement contingent on Colombia's fulfillment of several more requirements regarding the nation's labor laws.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees Wednesday indicating that Colombia has taken the necessary steps consistent with the action plan set out by the two countries.

“Today’s announcement is a critical victory in our efforts to pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement and for U.S. ranchers, farmers and manufacturers,” Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said in a statement. “This trade agreement means new jobs for American workers and a $2.5 billion economic boost for the U.S. economy.”