WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today after President Obama submitted three pending free trade agreements to Congress on Monday for a vote:

"The trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea have been delayed for three years by the Obama Administration – so it is welcome news that President Obama finally submitted them to Congress. Passage of these trade agreements will not only open more foreign markets for our agricultural commodities and manufactured goods, but it will also lead to the creation of more jobs and opportunities for all Americans. Together, these trade agreements are worth an estimated $13 billion in new U.S. exports, and the agreement with Korea alone is expected to create 70,000 American jobs.

“We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while other countries move forward. For example, tariffs have caused American farmers to lose nearly 20 percent of total agriculture markets in Colombia over the last 5 years. I look forward to the approval of these trade agreements as soon as possible, so we can give American producers the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, and create more jobs here at home.”

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