Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, gives backing to bill on U.S. exit from NAFTA

[The Straight Story]

Space gives backing to bill on U.S. exit from NAFTA
Sunday, March 28, 2010 5:40 AM


Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, said last week that he has signed on to a bill seeking to withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The bill was introduced this month by Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss.

Space said he has had longstanding objections to the trade agreement removing barriers between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, believing it has contributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country. He said his decision to sign on now to the bill, which seeks to force the United States to withdraw from the treaty within six months, has nothing to do with his vote against the final health-care-reform bill, which angered some unions that also oppose NAFTA.

"This bill will benefit my constituents by repealing an unfair trade agreement that has been devastating to our manufacturing base," Space said during a conference call with reporters. "I am on board ... not because I am trying to mollify anyone, but because I am trying to do the right thing."

Business interests say the NAFTA agreement and other free-trade treaties serve to spur exports and tear down trade barriers in a way that benefits the U.S. economy, too. It isn't likely the Taylor bill will become law, and the Obama administration can be expected to object.

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[ClarkUSA]

1. He's trying to CYA w/the unions furious at him with his yes-to-no vote on HCR.

I wonder if his campaign manager stayed up all night to figure out how best to woo union support back to Space's side.