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On 04/12/2006 the Charlotte Observer newspaper reported:

'Yes' vote on CAFTA is a winner for Hayes
Last-minute switch on trade agreement brings rewards to GOP congressman

For the Bush administration and for much of corporate America, nothing was higher on last year's "to-do" list than getting Congress to pass CAFTA -- a controversial free trade agreement with six Central American countries. That's why, ever since then, they've been showering Rep. Robin Hayes with gratitude. The Concord Republican, who saved the pact by changing his "no" vote to a last-minute "yes," is getting high-profile, expensive help in his re-election bid:

• First lady Laura Bush, who rarely stumps for House members, came to Charlotte last month to help Hayes raise a reported $300,000. U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman soon followed, meeting with Hayes and N.C. textile producers, who had been divided on CAFTA.

• Political action committees for 30 companies and business groups that led the fight for CAFTA donated almost $80,000 to Hayes' campaign last year -- most of it after the July vote.

• House GOP leaders have also pitched in, though their largess came in the month before the 217-215 House vote. That June, Hayes' campaign got $35,000 from the leaders' PACs -- including $10,000 from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. It was Hastert who approached Hayes the night of the House vote -- at midnight, in the House Cloak Room -- and told him they needed his vote.

One group that opposed CAFTA says Hayes is being rewarded for putting his allegiance to the GOP and outside businesses above those of his constituents -- many of whom blame free-trade agreements for massive textile job losses.
"His flip-flop has lost him a lot of support in his district," said Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch. "So he's trying to make up the difference with...this windfall corporate payoff."

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During his 2004 election campaign, Hayes was the second largest recipient of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay is being prosecuted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. To date, Hayes has not offered to return any of the $47,722 he received.

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