GOP Sen Susan Collins looks to be strong against TPP. email this am.

[magical thyme]

Dear (MT),


Knowing of your concerns about Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also known as "fast track" authority, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement currently being negotiated by the Administration, I wanted to let you know of recent Senate action on this matter.



On May 19, I voted against the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, which would give the President the authority to negotiate certain trade agreements that would then be considered by Congress under expedited procedures without the opportunity to offer amendments. Despite my strong opposition to TPA, the bill passed the Senate 62-37. The bill now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives.



I am concerned that TPA will pave the way for passage of TPP, which could threaten many American jobs, especially those in Maine's shoemaking industry. New Balance, for example, employs nearly 900 workers at three Maine factories. Every briefing that I have received on TPP has left me concerned that these workers could be disadvantaged by this trade deal. It is troubling that TPP could end up penalizing companies like New Balance that have remained committed to American manufacturing, rather than moving all of their production jobs overseas. Unless it differs substantially from where it appears to be heading, I will very likely oppose TPP when it is considered by the Senate.



Again, thank you for contacting me.

[pengu]

1. Collins is better than these 14 democrats on this

Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Tom Carper (D-DE)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Those 14 democrats voted to give the executive branch fast track authority. It grants these powers to the next president as well, no matter the party. It prevents filibusters. It prevents ammendments. And it applies to not just this agreement, but will extend these powers to all agreements coming from both Obama and the next president (no matter who it is).

Shame on these 14 democrats. Shame. They all should be voted out. Every last one of those 14 plus Obama sold out their country.

[sabrina 1]

2. Yes shame on them indeed. IF this passes, we better elect Bernie Sanders because those powers

to the Executive Branch will be in the hands of the next president for at least five of the six years they will be in effect.

He is opposed to this Corporate Giveaway and unlikely to abuse those powers.

Good for Collins, I hope she does not change her mind.

[pengu]

3. To be clear, Collins is absolutely awful

That she is still better than 14 of our senators on a absolutely crucial issue is the part that irks me.

[sabrina 1]

4. I agree, but we do have Corporate Dems who are no better than

moderate Republicans. I hope every one of these 14 are replaced by Democrats who work for the people. That should be a goal, even if the TPP doesn't pass, it will be no thanks to that group.

[pengu]

5. I agree, just don't kid yourself about Collins

If they needed her vote for this, it would have been there. They let her oppose the party on issues like this to keep her indie cred. However, her vote is never, ever in doubt if they actually need it.

[sabrina 1]

6. I am very familiar with Collins, and I think by now we all know the 'fixed' system works.

Someone named it, appropriately imo, the 'rotating villains'. And yes, if they need her vote they will get it.

[FlatBaroque]

7. I would not get too hung up on the names

They take turns based on who needs to vote which way or another. Elections, trading votes, that sort of thing.

[pengu]

8. I disagree

I don't disagree about them rotating villains, which is obvious. I disagree that the name shouldn't be posted wide and far. Nobody is going to notice the rotating unless bad behavior is called out every single time.