On Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives has approved a new trade deal with Peru. 109 Democrats joined Republicans in backing President Bush’s deal despite opposition from labor and environmental groups. Congressman Peter DeFazio of Oregon was one of the Democrats who voted against the deal.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR): “This agreement is by, for and about Wall Street, plain and simple. It doesn’t address our current economic crisis. It’s not in the best interest of American workers, the U.S. economy or our national security.”

Amazon Watch says the trade deal grants new rights for oil companies to drill in the Peruvian Amazon, benefiting U.S. corporations including Hunt Oil, ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum and Newmont Mining.