Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement today after the White House announced it had reached a bipartisan agreement with Republicans in Congress to implement the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

“I’m very encouraged by the compromises reached to move the free trade agreements forward,” Congressman Cuellar said. “The stakes could not be higher. The sooner we sign these agreements into law, the sooner we will grow our economy and create more American jobs.”

Throughout this year, Congressman Cuellar and the Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus have hosted trade talks between Members of Congress and stakeholders such as the Korean Ambassador to the United States Han Duk-soo and the Colombian Ambassador to the United States Gabriel Silva in an effort to move negotiations on the free trade agreements.

“As the representative to the largest inland port in the country, and founder of the bipartisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus, I look forward to working with the Obama administration and my colleagues in Congress to fully consider and approve these agreements,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Trade is a vital part of America’s economic engine, fuels economic growth, creates jobs and supports millions of American workers.”