After the Senate voted to approve the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) last month, the House of Representatives is set to vote on CAFTA next week. A definitive date has not yet been set, but the House Republican leadership is looking at a vote in the second half of the week.

It is still unclear as to whether or not CAFTA will pass in the House. Over the weekend, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer predicted that CAFTA will likely pass in the House, but subsequent press reports have indicated that there are still 28 Republicans who will vote against CAFTA and officials in the Bush administration have conceded that they are between five and ten votes short. Nevertheless, the Bush administration has been actively promoting CAFTA, both in two appearances by President George W. Bush promoting CAFTA and by giving Republican leaders the power to secure votes by offering deals such as amendmendets and funding for special projects in exchange for votes.

The local Stop CAFTA Campaign is still asking that those oppose to CAFTA call local Congressperson Vern Ehlers to register their opposition. The United Steelworkers have setup a toll free number to reach Congress, callers simply call 1-866-340-9281 and when they get connected to the Capitol Switchboard, ask for the office of Vern Ehlers.