GOP Expected to Be More Pro-Trade
Republicans may not push Cuba trade issues.
Compiled by staff
Published: Nov 8, 2010
Ag specialists in Washington, D.C. generally see Republicans resuscitating chances for the Colombia, Panama and Korea trade deals that have languished under Democrat-control. But on Cuba trade and travel reform, former USDA Trade Chief Paul Drazek says it's a different story.
"That's just always the way it's been," Drazek said. "Republicans have been much less inclined toward relaxing some of the restrictions on trade and travel with a country that is such a mixed bag in terms of trade."
Havana-born, South Florida Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is expected to succeed California Democrat Howard Berman as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. American Farm Bureau's Chris Garza says that does present a challenge.
"But this would not be the first time the Republicans had control over that committee," Garza said. "And we've been able to get various other Cuba related provisions through the House and Senate."
That includes temporary easing of Bush-era Cuba payment restrictions for U.S. ag goods.
"The President has continued to make comments about creating better relations with Cuba," Garza said. "So I don't think the chairwoman, once she gets that position, will be able to completely thwart our efforts on Cuba."
Ros-Lehtinen opposes trade and travel reforms. She argues reforms will benefit the Castro regime.
The House Agriculture Committee passed such reforms in a 25 to 20 vote, mostly along party lines. But Berman cited floor schedule conflicts in sidelining the bill, though Drazek speculated earlier, Berman didn't have enough Democrats on board.
"You have to get all the committees to vote it out and let it go to the floor for a vote on final passage," Drazek said. "If a particular committee refuses to do that it doesn't go anywhere. So, Ways and Means and Agriculture probably could get it out of those two, but clearly Foreign Affairs will be a problem."
With a now-very abbreviated lame duck session planned in a couple of weeks, all bets are off on any trade action before next year.
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Tagged: farm, usda, Farm Bureau
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