CAFTA Narrowly Passes House (7/28/05)

CAFTA, the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, passed the House by a 217-215 vote. The controversial trade agreement is similar in structure to NAFTA, and it is feared it will have the same negative effects on workers throughout the Americas.

"It will widen the gap between the haves and have-nots, weaken labor and environmental standards and set a dangerous precedent for future trade agreements," said Rep. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.
A hard-fought effort against the agreement by unions and other pro-worker groups came up short, as intense arm-twisting by the White House and Republican leaders helped the measure squeak by.