Clinton Administration Rallies Support For U.S. Plan To Help Mexico Economy

Trying to rally public support for a plan to help rescue Mexico’s economy, the Clinton administration issued a report Saturday saying 770,000 U.S. workers have jobs that depend on exports to Mexico.

Administration officials for days have been talking about the vast number of U.S. jobs that depend on the health of Mexico’s economy. The Treasury Department sought to keep up the drumbeat by issuing an analysis showing that from 1987 to 1993, exports to Mexico increased by more than 180 percent.

“This study demonstrates how important it is to the American people that the U.S. government act decisively to restore confidence in the Mexican economy,” said Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. “A robust Mexican economy provides a large market for our exports, which translates into jobs for American workers.”

The administration effort was designed to counter growing criticism of the plan within Congress. Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats have demanded a number of conditions for their support, seeking to get Mexican agreements on such things as improving worker rights and cracking down on illegal immigration.

The financial rescue plan has bipartisan support among congressional leaders. But action on the plan has been stalled as both Republicans and Democrats blame each other for delays.