Vern Buchanan to Chair Panama Caucus; Congressman to Focus on Florida Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC--Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) has been elevated to chairman of the congressional Friends of Panama Caucus.  Buchanan said he will focus his efforts on creating Florida jobs and enhancing the ability of Port Manatee to capitalize on the expansion of the Panama Canal.
 
”Jobs and the economy are the most important issue,“ said Buchanan.  ”As the chairman of the Friends of Panama Caucus, I will work to create Florida jobs by promoting new trade opportunities and positioning Port Manatee to benefit from the expansion of the Panama Canal.“ 
 

Congressman Vern Buchanan

Port Manatee is the closest deepwater port to the Panama Canal, which is scheduled to double its capacity by 2014.  Last year, Buchanan traveled to Panama with the Panamanian Ambassador to the United States, Jaime Eduardo Aleman, and hosted the Ambassador at Port Manatee.  In Panama, he met with the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, and business leaders.  

Another one of Buchanan’s goals is for Congress to ratify the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. Panama is currently our 56th largest trading partner with $4.7 billion in goods traded between the two countries during 2009. U.S. exports to Panama totaled $4.4 billion compared with $304 million worth of imports resulting in a $4.1 trade surplus.  
 
Buchanan first became a member of the Caucus in 2009.  As the chairman he will lead their efforts to foster greater economic development opportunities in the United States by engaging Panamanian perspectives on issues of mutual interest and by being a source in Congress on U.S.-Panama relations.  
 
The Caucus’s current Republican Chairman, Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), said, ”I’m pleased that my friend and Florida colleague, Vern Buchanan, will be leading the Friends of Panama Caucus in the next Congress.  He shares a strong commitment to freedom and free markets, and I know that as the Co-Chairman of the Caucus, he will continue to champion issues important to both nations, like free trade.“
 
The Democrat Chair of the Caucus, Jim Matheson said, ”I am excited to work with Rep. Buchanan on this important economic issue.  The breakthrough on the Korean trade agreement provides new energy and momentum for progress on trade. Democrats and Republicans should continue advancing the free trade agenda that holds so much promise for peacefully engaging with the world and strengthening America’s economic future.“
 
Buchanan is also a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over international trade policy.