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WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress "owes the American people" a vote this year on a free trade agreement with Colombia that House Democratic leaders have scuttled, a top White House aide said Sunday.
The House decided this past week to eliminate a rule forcing a vote on the deal within 60 legislative days of the president's submitting it to Congress. Bush sent the agreement to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The House's decision probably kills consideration of the Colombia agreement this year, leaving it for the next administration.
"The decisions that were made by the leadership are disappointing," said President Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley. "We will continue to work with the Congress. But the point is this is a good agreement. It helps American farmers, workers and businesses. It stands by Colombia.
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