At an address to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, President Bush urged Congress to pass the Colombia Free Trade agreement immediately citing benefits to national security and the both countries economies.

 

The agreement promotes national security by reinforcing the U.S. commitment to democracy, providing a positive contrast to the negative forces in Latin America who wish to return to lead by oppression and say the United States cannot be trusted.

 

The agreement will benefit the U.S. economy by lowering and eventually eliminating tariffs on American exports of industrial and consumer goods to Colombia, giving U.S. manufacturers, workers and farmers access to this large and growing market and make permanent Colombia's preferential access to the U.S. market.

 

Finally, the agreement will bring increased economic opportunity to the people of Colombia through sustained economic growth, new employment opportunities, increased investment, and draw millions into the formal economy. This will certainly benefit small businesses. In addition, The jobs it will bring to Colombians will weaken the lure of the illicit economic sector.

 

The approval of the Colombia free trade agreement will make it clear to the Colombian people that the United States is a partner in prosperity and a partner in peace.

 

For more information visit www.freetradeagreements.gov

 

 

The following links provide contact information for individual Members of Congress and the Senate:

House - https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
Senate - http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

 

The following links provide contact information for the leadership of the House of Representatives:

Speaker of the House - http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Majority Leader - http://www.majorityleader.gov/contact.cfm
Minority Leader - http://republicanleader.house.gov/

 

The following links provide contact information for the chairman and ranking members for the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee:

House Ways and Means Chairman - http://waysandmeans.house.gov/contact.asp
House Ways and Means Ranking Member - http://mccrery.house.gov/FormCheck.asp
Senate Finance Chairman – http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue
Senate Finance Ranking Member - http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

 

The Hispanic Alliance for Progress institute represents small business leaders and consumers and we know that any raise in taxes on business, whether it be a large or small business, results in a direct cost to the consumers – both at home and in businesses.

 
The United States Congress is considering energy reform proposals that would increase taxes and instate price controls on production of energy in the United States.  Please contact your U. S. Congressmen and your Senator and ask them to oppose H.R. 5351 currently pending before the U.S. Congress. 

 

Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt to find out who represents you in Washington, D.C and get contact information on how to send them coorespondence. 

 

 

F. Allen Boyd (2nd-FL)

Henry Cuellar (28th-TX)

Chet Edwards (17th-TX)

Charlie Gonzalez (20th-TX)

Gene Green (29th-TX)

Jim Matheson (2nd-UT)

Charlie Melancon (3rd-LA)

Solomon Ortiz (27th-TX)

Ciro Rodriguez (23rd-TX)

Silvestre Reyes (16th-TX)

Ruben Hinojosa (15th-TX)

Nick Lampson (22nd-TX)

 

 

The already high cost of energy, coupled with a declining economy, has American consumers stretching their budgets at home and in their small businesses.  Congress should oppose any legislation that includes a tax increase of any form. 

Recently, the Congress passed and the president signed the “Economic Growth of 2008” legislation, which was developed to give consumers confidence in the economy and spur consumer spending.  An attempt to raise taxes on any industry at this time would directly negate the effects of the stimulus package.

 

Historically, an increase in taxes on the energy industry slows the domestic production of energy, which will lead to ever higher energy costs for consumers.  Consumers can’t handle that additional burden on our pocketbooks.

 

The result of raising taxes on any industry is in effect raising prices on consumers and ultimately a loss of jobs. Congress should stay the course with efforts to stimulate the economy and oppose any and all efforts to raise taxes.

 

HAP Institute Leadership Leslie Sanchez has released her book “Los Republicanos” which is an insightful piece on Latinos impact in the Presidential Election.

 

Please take a moment to Visit www.losrepublicanos.com and review Leslie's important work.  We salute’s Leslie and we hope you will read her book!