Dingell to Vote Against NAFTA
Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), the influential chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said Monday he would vote against the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement and urged it be renegotiated.
Dingell said he supports the concept of NAFTA to create a free trade zone between Canada, Mexico and the United States but thought the pending treaty had too many flaws on issues such as the environment and labor laws.
“It is my judgment that NAFTA in its current form does not have the votes to pass the House and has sharply divided the American people,” Dingell wrote President Clinton.
“I urge you to withdraw the pact and quickly begin negotiations on a new agreement with Mexico free of the defects plaguing this one,” he wrote.
Most polls show NAFTA opponents ahead of supporters in the House. The pact has better support in the Senate. A vote is expected by Nov. 17.
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