CAFTA Moves Forward

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) passed 25-16 in the influential Ways and Means Committee in the US congress. The bill now passes to the White House for review before going back to Congress for a final vote. CAFTA has become an explosive political issue in the US with Democratic leaders arguing it will cost jobs and will worsen the country’s already giant current account deficit. President Bush argues it will help US exporters and promises to sign it.