Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993 TAG: 9310200443
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From staff and wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The North American Free Trade Agreement would create a single market among Canada, the United States and Mexico. Over 15 years, it would eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers between the three nations, allowing for duty-free exchange of goods.
The timetable
The House of Representatives, considered to hold the most critical vote on the proposal, is set to consider the legislation on Nov. 17. The bill needs a 218-vote majority of 435 representatives for passage. Republicans say they can provide half those votes if Democrats will round up the other half. At last count, about 60 representatives were undecided.
The supporters:
USA/NAFTA, is the main private lobby group. It is funded by large, multinational corporations that each contribute $3,000 a week to the public relations effort.
Conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh and retired Chrysler Corp. chairman Lee Iacocca are the most vocal supporters.
The opponents
Organized labor contend U.S. jobs will be lost and environmental advocates have raised concerns.
Former presidential candidate Ross Perot is a vocal critic. In his book,"Save Your Job, Save Our Country: Why NAFTA Must Be Stopped - Now!," Perot contends nearly six million U.S. jobs will be "vulnerable" under NAFTA. His estimate has been termed by economists as farfetched and alarmist.
The Virginia vote:
Virginia congressmen supporting the agreement include Reps. James P. Moran Jr., D-8th, and Thomas J. Bliley Jr., R-7th.
Reps. Herbert H. Bateman, 1st; Robert Goodlatte, 6th, and Frank Wolf, 10th, are said to be leaning in favor of NAFTA.
Reps. Robert C. Scott, 3rd, and Leslie Byrne, 11th, plan to vote against the agreement.
Virginia congressmen who have not indicated how they'll vote include Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th, has polled businesses and farmers in his district and plans to announce his stand next week.
Also undecided are Democratic Reps. Norman Sisisky, 4th; Owen B. Pickett, 2nd, and Lewis F. Payne Jr., 5th.
Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb and Republican Sen. John Warner have not given their views on NAFTA. Robb has made up his mind and will make an announcement soon, said Peggy Wilhide, his spokeswoman.
James C. Miller III, a Republican who is opposing Robb for re-election next year, favors NAFTA, saying the agreement could create 9,000 jobs in Virginia by 1997.
Gov. Douglas Wilder, who plans to challenge Robb for the Democratic Senate nomination, has said he opposes NAFTA because it would cut jobs and wages in this country.
by CNB