Central American Free Trade Agreement Bill

[Ebowed]

I wish to propose the following amendment:

Clauses 1, 2, and 3 shall be stricken and replaced with:
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Does anyone have suggestions on this amendment?

That sounds pretty good, except that the deal should be mutual - ie that the elimination of tariffs should be contingent on the elimination of tariffs by the target countries.

Certainly, this concept is less bloated and bureaucratic, and thus meets my approval.

Well, good; I hope the other pro-CAFTA senators support it also.

[Ebowed]

Trade between nations is no different from trade between people.

Except that when it's trade between nations, the agreements have a lot of odd provisions designed to benefit one group of people involved and screw over another group.  Such as the Codex stuff, or the Tennessee Whiskey provision.

[Emsworth]

I wish to propose the following amendment:

Clauses 1, 2, and 3 shall be stricken and replaced with:
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Does anyone have suggestions on this amendment?

Is there any further debate on this amendment?

[Emsworth]

I wish to propose the following amendment:

Clauses 1, 2, and 3 shall be stricken and replaced with:
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Does anyone have suggestions on this amendment?

The question is on the amendment. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[MasterJedi]

Aye (it makes it a lot simpler and it might help nudge Ebowed to vote fir it)

[True Democrat]

Abstain

I think this step in free trade is moving a little too fast, but I still will not vote against something that expands free trade.

[Ebowed]

Yea

[Q]

Abstain

[DanielX]

Aye.

[PBrunsel]

Aye

[Defarge]

Aye

[Emsworth]

With five Ayes and two abstentions, the amendment is passed.

[Ebowed]

Is it possible to remove "Agreement" from the bill title without holding a vote?

[Emsworth]

Is it possible to remove "Agreement" from the bill title without holding a vote?

Indeed, as the bill has nothing to do with the agreement, the word is removed.

[Emsworth]

Central American Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

The question is on final passage. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[DanielX]

Aye

[Colin]

Aye

[Q]

Nay

[Gabu]

Abstain.

[True Democrat]

Aye

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Abstain

[Ebowed]

Abstain.

[Emsworth]

With three abstentions and four ayes, the bill has enough votes to pass. Senators have 24 hours to vote or change their votes.

[jokerman]

I urge my Senators to vote nay on this bill, considering we don't even know if the Countries in question will agree to this new bill.  This bill would only eliminate our tariffs and restrictions.  We need confirmation from the GM that the other countries will agree to the new agreement.