Congress Tells Bush To Stop Closed-Door Diplomacy On SPP

Congress Tells Bush: 'Stop the Closed-Door Diplomacy and Allow Legislative Oversight'

WASHINGTON, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The House of Representatives sent a letter to President Bush this week advising him to stop all plans to advance the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America until there has been full congressional oversight. The letter, which was authored by Reps. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), is brief and simply states that the U.S. Congress "objects to a process that permits the executives of the respective countries to bypass constitutionally mandated review" and that all SPP negotiations should be halted until the details of this closed-door diplomacy "are made transparent and proper legislative oversight is established." The letter reached President Bush on the eve of the fourth North American summit, which will be held in New Orleans on April 21st and 22nd.

Bush's SPP, which he first endorsed back in 2001 as a plan for "economic integration" with Mexico and Canada, is a possible prelude to a North American Union (NAU), similar to the European Union (EU), connected by a three-country superhighway. Last year, during the three-nation summit at Montebello, Quebec, Fox News reporter Bret Baier asked President Bush, "Can you say today that this is not a prelude to a North American Union, similar to the EU?" Instead of denying the claim, Bush ridiculed the question and said he was "amused" that anyone could believe in such a "conspiracy."

"The major players all claim that SPP is simply 'economic integration,' but integration with Mexico and Canada is exactly what North American Union means," said Eagle Forum Executive Director Jessica Echard.

"SPP explains why the Bush Administration refuses to build the fence that was mandated in the Secure Fence Act of 2006," Echard said. "It also explains why Bush thumbed his nose at the overwhelming congressional votes to exclude Mexican trucks from U.S. roads."

"'We the people' of the United States were never asked if we wanted to be 'integrated' with Mexico and Canada," Echard said. "Even the Hudson Institute recently released a White Paper that freely admits that the U.S. Congress has been excluded from the plan and purposely kept in the dark. President Bush knows that SPP would never be successful via the legislative process because it is such an obvious violation of the U.S. Constitution."

"The President certainly has some explaining to do. These closed-door negotiations have been going on for 7 years and the American people want answers," concluded Echard. "The public is outraged as they become more aware of the true meaning of SPP. We cannot allow the President to move another step forward without fully and openly disclosing the details of these plans to Congress."

Media Availability: to schedule an interview for TV, radio, or print with either Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly or Executive Director Jessica, please contact Suzanne Bibby at 202-544-0353 or suzanne@eagleforum.org.