Sandhusker
Well-known member
WASHINGTON - Sen. Ben Nelson said Wednesday that he might lead his first filibuster against a South Korean trade agreement, if that nation doesn't move toward accepting U.S. beef exports.
Nelson, D-Neb., is among a number of lawmakers from both parties who are increasingly frustrated with Seoul's ban on U.S. beef.
South Korea barred U.S. beef in 2003 due to concerns of mad cow disease. Some months ago it began accepting shipments again.
But the ban resumed after South Korean inspectors claimed they had found pieces of bone as small as rice grain in the shipments.
Nelson said he wants beef trade between the two countries back on track.
"My insistence is on having this resolved as quickly as possible," he said in a conference call.
He warned the Bush administration not to send a trade agreement with South Korea to the Senate before resolving the beef ban.
"If the administration did do that, absolutely, I'd lead a filibuster," he said. "I've never done that, but this one I would."
"It doesn't make any sense to move forward with a free trade agreement with any country that isn't engaged in fair trade with the United States," Nelson added.
Nelson, D-Neb., is among a number of lawmakers from both parties who are increasingly frustrated with Seoul's ban on U.S. beef.
South Korea barred U.S. beef in 2003 due to concerns of mad cow disease. Some months ago it began accepting shipments again.
But the ban resumed after South Korean inspectors claimed they had found pieces of bone as small as rice grain in the shipments.
Nelson said he wants beef trade between the two countries back on track.
"My insistence is on having this resolved as quickly as possible," he said in a conference call.
He warned the Bush administration not to send a trade agreement with South Korea to the Senate before resolving the beef ban.
"If the administration did do that, absolutely, I'd lead a filibuster," he said. "I've never done that, but this one I would."
"It doesn't make any sense to move forward with a free trade agreement with any country that isn't engaged in fair trade with the United States," Nelson added.