Rep. Kaptur: * ADMINISTRATION MISUSES TAXPAYER FUNDS TO PUSH CAFTA

[paineinthearse]

http://www.kaptur.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1425

BUSH ADMINISTRATION MISUSES TAXPAYER FUNDS TO PUSH CAFTA

Jul 27, 2005

WASHINGTON -- In a sternly worded letter to President Bush today, House Democrats accused his Administration of misusing taxpayer funds in “a blatant attempt to manufacture support—and in one case suppress opposition for—CAFTA.”

CAFTA, a controversial trade pact with Central America, is facing fierce opposition in Congress, and the 14 signers of the letter, led by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), are concerned with the Administration’s attempts to buy support for the pact.

Among the more than $500 million of questionable spending highlighted in the letter:

• A $700,000 USAID grant funneled to CAFTAction—a group made up of American Chambers of Commerce in Central America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—for lobbying purposes.
  
  
• Taxpayer-funded USAID seminars to train Central America’s trade negotiators to better negotiate against the United States.
  
  
• $390 million in recent aid to Honduras and Nicaragua. The Democrat signers note that they are not opposed to the aid, but they questioned why these countries are two of only four countries to receive aid this year through the Millennium Challenge Corporation. They noted that the non-CAFTA aid recipients—Cape Verde and Madagascar—received considerably less money.
  
  
• Attempts by the Labor Department to squash a million-dollar labor study that raised questions about worker rights in Central America and fueled opposition to the agreement.
  
  
• Taxpayer funds used to create more than three dozen “manufactured” audio and video news pieces by the Department of Agriculture.
  

“In times of budget deficits, this is an egregious use of taxpayer dollars, and we demand an explanation,” explained Kaptur, a member of the House Appropriations committee. “Considering the Congressional Budget Office estimates that CAFTA will cost the government $440 million a year in lost revenue, it just irresponsible for this Administration to so recklessly spend taxpayer money to get it approved.”

[babylonsister]

1. They are such dirt bags. Nominated for all to see yet

another way our country is getting ripped off.

[ClintonTyree]

2. So......

everybody knows it, or they should. They knew the bush cabal was going to get this passed anyway they could. Christ, they stole an entire election! Does anyone think they'd let this go down without cheating, lying and buying when it meant so much to bush's "legacy"?
This entire administration is predicated upon lies, thievery, thuggery and arrogance. Nothing they do should come as a surprise to anyone.

[KoKo]

3. Hello, MSM...where are you? Where is the reporting on this...

OOps...You're on VACATION! GASP...Sorry...I should have known. :-(

[paineinthearse]

4. There is some coverage about the bill itself..

But no real mention of misappropriation of taxpayer funds.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Kaptur+CAFTA&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d

Accord's effect on Michigan, Ohio remains topic of debate
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Pacifica Radio - Jul 29, 2005
... CAFTA. The final vote was 217 - 215 in the House, the closest margin possible as a tie vote would have blocked approval. Democratic Congressperson Marcy Kaptur ...

CAFTA Approval - Was the Voting Process Skewed?
Democracy Now, NY - Jul 29, 2005
... CAFTA. The final vote was 217 - 215 in the House, the closest margin possible as a tie vote would have blocked approval. Democratic Congressperson Marcy Kaptur ...

Ney splits with party on CAFTA
Chillicothe Gazette, OH - Jul 29, 2005
... Springfield. Ohio's five Democrats, including long-time free trade foe Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, voted against the bill. Ney ...

US Hopes for Momentum From CAFTA
Washington Post, United States - Jul 28, 2005
... Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) said in a written statement yesterday. ... a tired but cheerful Portman offered a much more optimistic assessment of the CAFTA vote and the ...

Ohio Lawmakers React To CAFTA Vote
Ohio News Network, OH - Jul 28, 2005
Supporters of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, argued it would open up new markets for us products. ... Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo). ...

CAFTA meeting explores challenges to Ohio
Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph, OH - Jul 1, 2005
... Marcy Kaptur (who joined the group by conference call), discussed the perils of ... of living and promoting positive influences on the ecosystem, CAFTA has become ...