The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), National Association of Manufacturers, and Coalition of Service Industries have called upon Congress to extend Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which expires in June 2007. TPA allows the President to negotiate trade agreements for an up-or-down vote by Congress.

AFBF said, "TPA is critical if we want other countries to engage in serious negotiations with the U.S. U.S. ag relies on overseas markets and gaining access to those markets is vital to the overall success of farmers and ranchers. Ag's ability to compete in global markets, on fair terms, with better access to expanding markets is dependent on TPA."
-- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C., correspondent