Farr Reverses Stand, Supports NAFTA

Freshman Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement during his campaign for office, announced Tuesday that he will vote for the pact.

Farr’s surprise change of heart, along with the declarations of two formerly undecided Republicans that they also support the agreement, brings to 28 the number of California House members siding with President Clinton on the eve of today’s vote.

Nineteen California representatives, 14 of whom are Democrats, have lined up in opposition to the pact. Five remain uncommitted.

The announcements Tuesday from the California members came as the White House seemed to have secured enough votes to pass the controversial agreement, which would lower trade barriers among the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“I’ve been struggling with this for several weeks,” said Farr, “even though I was in the ‘no’ position for a long time. I wanted to know how (the pact) would affect jobs in my district. I’ve decided that it will mean a net gain in the long run.”

Farr called the White House early Tuesday to tell the President. “He said, ‘Thank you; thank you very much,’ ” Farr recalled.

Farr, a 12-year veteran of the California Assembly, filled the seat of former Rep. Leon E. Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), who was named by Clinton to head the White House Office of Management and Budget.

During his campaign, Farr said he opposed the agreement, fearing that it would cost jobs. But after “learning more about NAFTA, it was only logical to support it,” he said.

The Teamsters Union quickly criticized Farr for reneging on his promise and said he had been persuaded to change his vote in exchange for stricter federal enforcement of laws requiring foreign food products to be labeled with their country of origin.

Farr denied making any special deals with the Administration. “But I did get commitment from the President to have Labor Secretary (Robert B.) Reich visit my district in the spring.”

Two California Republicans, Reps. Jay C. Kim of Diamond Bar and Carlos J. Moorhead of Glendale, also announced their support for the pact Tuesday.

Kim said he was swayed by the Administration’s progress in negotiating an agreement with Mexico that would transfer convicted illegal immigrants in U.S. jails back to Mexican prisons.

Moorhead said the trade agreement would be good for the California economy and “have a positive impact on illegal immigration.”

As of Tuesday evening, the five undecided Californians were Republicans Bill Baker of Danville and Richard W. Pombo of Tracy, and Democrats George E. Brown Jr. of Colton, Matthew G. Martinez of Monterey Park and Maxine Waters of Los Angeles.