CAFTA

Senate Roll Call Vote 170

2005 Scorecard Vote

Pro-environment vote

No

Votes For

54

Votes Against

45

Not Voting

1

Issues

International trade can be a force for elevating living standards and improving environmental protection in the world’s poorest countries. But unless trade agreements contain strong environmental rules, they may undermine the protection of natural resources. For that reason, environmental groups in both the U.S. and Central America joined in opposing the recent Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

One of the world’s most biologically diverse regions, Central America has already lost more than 70 percent of its forest cover. CAFTA’s weak and mostly unenforceable environmental provisions are not adequate to protect these dwindling resources. The treaty only requires countries to enforce their own laws, a provision rendered meaningless by the lack of even basic environmental laws in countries like Guatemala and Honduras.

In addition, CAFTA allows multinational companies to sue countries for compensation if an environmental law reduces their profits. Similar language in the North American Free Trade Agreement has already prompted companies to sue the U.S., Canada, and Mexico over laws that protect public health and natural resources. The threat of more such lawsuits could freeze environmental progress in Central America by discouraging poor governments from passing new conservation laws.

On June 30, 2005, the Senate approved S. 1307, CAFTA’s implementing legislation, by a 54-45 vote (Senate roll call vote 170). NO is the pro-environment vote.

Votes

Show
Show
Export data (CSV)
  • Pro-environment vote
  • Anti-environment Vote
  • Missed Vote
  • Excused
  • Not Applicable

Vote Key

Sort by
Alabama
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Alaska
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Arizona
2024 State Scorecard Average

56%

Arkansas
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

California
2024 State Scorecard Average

99%

Colorado
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Connecticut
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Delaware
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Florida
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Georgia
2024 State Scorecard Average

94%

Hawaii
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Idaho
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Illinois
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Indiana
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Iowa
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Kansas
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Kentucky
2024 State Scorecard Average

6%

Louisiana
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Maine
2024 State Scorecard Average

50%

Maryland
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Massachusetts
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Michigan
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Minnesota
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Mississippi
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Missouri
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Montana
2024 State Scorecard Average

29%

Nebraska
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Nevada
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

New Hampshire
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

New Jersey
2024 State Scorecard Average

88%

New Mexico
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

New York
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

North Carolina
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

North Dakota
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Ohio
2024 State Scorecard Average

25%

Oklahoma
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Oregon
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Pennsylvania
2024 State Scorecard Average

94%

Rhode Island
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

South Carolina
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

South Dakota
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Tennessee
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Texas
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%

Utah
2024 State Scorecard Average

2%

Vermont
2024 State Scorecard Average

94%

Virginia
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

Washington
2024 State Scorecard Average

100%

West Virginia
2024 State Scorecard Average

6%

Wisconsin
2024 State Scorecard Average

50%

Wyoming
2024 State Scorecard Average

0%