Shortly after that incident, Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), began a yearlong effort to pry the studies from the department through a Freedom of Information Act request. The department rejected his request until two months ago, when Levin received — and released — early drafts of the reports.
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After information about the reports surfaced last year, the Bush Administration began a pre-emptive campaign to undercut the study's conclusions.
Used as talking points by trade-pact supporters, a Labor Department document uncovered by the AP accuses the contractor of writing a report filled with "unsubstantiated" statements and "biased attacks, not the facts."
The department also demanded a partial refund — $250,000 of a $937,000 contract — from ILRF, serving to further discredit the group.
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One lawmaker said he was shocked that a federal agency charged with protecting the rights of Americans workers would go to such lengths to block the public from seeing its own contractor's concerns before Congress votes on the agreement.
"You would think if any agency in our government would care about this, it would be the Labor Department," Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) told the AP.
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Is the report "unsubstantiated" and "biased attacks, not the facts"? Who knows. But what the administration did is nothing short of propaganda. Congress should have had access to the reports before voting on CAFTA. Let ILRF defend itself against blistering attacks from CAFTA supporters. Let a true debate take place.
Instead, it's typical "my way or the highway," for the Bush Administration. Are working conditions in Central America sufficient to allow for CAFTA. The Bush Administration says yes, and it's not interested in anyone who says no. That's not the way to run a government.
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This article first appeared on Journalists Against Bush's B.S. (JABBS)
Article comments
1 - Randy Kirk
If what you're saying is true, it is sad. However, I assume that you and your source are against the extension of the free trade agreement to Central America. That's a shame, because the benefits to Mexico are incredible. My Mexican employees are giving me reports when they vacation in their hometowns of an economy on the roll.
As there economy improves it provides consumers for the items we make and for our service providers. It also reduces the need for Illegal crossings. Lets get the whole world up to our standard of living or close. That will help everybody.
I feel bad for those who work in less than ideal conditions. But if you ask some of them, you'll find that they are thrilled to have a job, and commonly the working conditions are better than their last job, and the improvement in their standard of living gives them a double win.
2 - David R. Mark
I have not offered an opinion on CAFTA.
My source is the Associated Press, which I assume also has no opinion on CAFTA.
My only beef, as stated, is the Bush Administration propagandizing, again, to get its way.