Pelosi: Economic Stimulus Bill Must Come Before Colombia Trade Pact

By Daniel W. Reilly

(The Politico)  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that Congress needs to take up a potential second economic stimulus bill before considering a free trade agreement with Colombia.

"Until we pass a legislative package for jobs and economic growth here at home, it will be extremely difficult to approve any trade legislation," Pelosi said in a letter to House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio.).

The free trade agreement with Colombia has emerged as a political flashpoint in recent weeks after President Bush sent the deal to Congress for approval and Pelosi broke tradition by not bringing it up for a vote. Republicans have accused Pelosi of changing congressional rules in order to bury the bill while Democrats contend that Bush was out of line in sending the deal to Congress before Pelosi signed off on it.
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