Second District Congressman votes against trade pact

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Freshman Democrat Dan Boren voted with the minority as the US House narrowly approves the Central American Free Trade Agreement.<br/><br/>Boren was joined by 214 others in voting

Thursday, July 28th 2005, 6:18 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Freshman Democrat Dan Boren voted with the minority as the US House narrowly approves the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

Boren was joined by 214 others in voting against the accord while 217 favored the plan in vote late Wednesday night.

Oklahoma's four Republican congressmen, Tom Cole of the Fourth District, Frank Lucas of the Third District, John Sullivan of the First District and Ernest Istook of the Fifth District all voted for the measure.

The proposal eventually will eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers between the US and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Supporters argue it will open up markets for US manufacturers, while bolstering Central American democracies.

But Boren is dubious of such claims.

He cited recent statistics from the AFL-CIO that show the state has lost 33,000 manufacturing jobs in recent years. He says he fears CAFTA will exacerbate the flight of such jobs.