Reply #1: White House Hopeful Colombia Extradition Can Boost Trade Pact [View All]

White House Hopeful Colombia Extradition Can Boost Trade Pact
(05-13-081118ET)

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The White House is hopeful that Colombia's extradition of paramilitary warlords to the U.S. can help lift the Colombia trade agreement's prospects in Congress.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the administration is still " dismayed" that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., hasn't allowed lawmakers to vote on the trade pact, a situation that may doom the deal.

But Colombia's decision to extradite 14 leaders of illegal militias - many accused of drug trafficking - to the U.S. could ease some lawmakers' concerns that Bogota isn't doing enough to fight the spread of drugs.

"We can certainly hope that this would persuade Congress, the Democratic leaders in Congress, specifically Speaker Pelosi, that she would see this as yet another sign, but I would point out to you that this is not the first time that these types of extraditions have taken place," Perino said.

The House voted last month to suspend a 90-day deadline Congress was facing to hold a vote on the Colombian trade deal. Democrats say they are unlikely to revive the agreement until the White House agrees to back some of their domestic economic priorities, potentially including a second stimulus package.

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