Resolution opposing international partnership passes committee

A House panel unanimously voted Monday to send to the floor a resolution urging the United States to withdraw from the Security and Prosperity Partnership, a cooperative economic, security and public health agreement with Mexico and Canada.

The resolution, HR1, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, says the partnership is a veiled stepping stone toward a North American Union, similar to the European Union.

Sandstrom told members of the House Government Operations Committee that the partnership is a secretive arrangement with no Congressional oversight.

"If this is a benign group, or benign purpose, just for a cooperation of three nations, then it should be out in the open," Sandstrom said. "If not, then Congress should look into this issue and decide where it's headed."

The bill was amended to send the resolution to all members of Congress, electronically if possible.

Last year, Sandstrom had introduced a joint resolution that failed to receive Senate support. This year's resolution needs only House approval.