U.S. Mayors, State Legislators Join U.S. Chamber's Endorsement of Colombia Trade Deal

"It's time for lawmakers in Washington to follow their lead," Murphy says

WASHINGTON, D.C.–- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce renewed its call on Congress to pass the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement by pointing to Monday's resolutions endorsing the agreement by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

"This is further evidence that lawmakers living in reality recognize the importance of expanding trade," said John Murphy, the U.S. Chamber's vice president for international affairs.

"Congress cannot fail to notice that Americans outside the Beltway are supporting this landmark trade agreement in large numbers," he said "When thousands of mayors and state legislators from across the country join the fight to expand fair trade and create new U.S. jobs, it's time for the House leadership to take notice."

The Conference of Mayors is the national voice of the mayors of 1,139 American cities. Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago and Mayor Manny Diaz of Miami were among the champions of the resolution. The American Legislative Exchange Council is the nation's largest nonpartisan association of state legislators.

"From coast-to-coast we have leaders recognizing the importance of exports - now more than ever – to the U.S. economy," Murphy said. "It's time for our lawmakers here in Washington to follow their lead and pass this agreement."

More information about the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is available at www.uschamber.com/colombia

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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