GOP lawmakers increase pressure on Congress to fast-track controversial Pacific trade pact

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters

By Reuters
Friday, July 18, 2014 6:42 EDT

Some Republican lawmakers on Thursday threatened to withhold support for a Pacific trade pact unless Congress first passes legislation to ensure any deal will go to Congress for an up or down vote, without amendments.

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (above), the 23 Republican members of the House panel with jurisdiction over trade said Congress would not approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) the United States is negotiating with 11 other countries if it did not meet lawmakers’ goals.

So-called trade promotion authority (TPA) allows lawmakers to set priorities for trade deals and means Congress in return votes yes or no on agreements.

A bipartisan bill was introduced to Congress in January, but has since stalled given a lack of enthusiasm among House Democrats in the lead-up to Congressional elections in November.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/18/gop-lawmakers-increase-pressure-on-congress-to-fast-track-controversial-pacific-trade-pact/

[Omaha Steve]

1. Reid & Polosi have said no to the fast track

http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/item/18572-trans-pacific-partnership-nafta-on-steroids-threatens-sovereignty

Snip: President Obama used the State of the Union address in January as an opportunity to request Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) from Congress. TPA is a tool that the president demands be in the U.S. trade representative’s bag when he sits down with his colleagues from the other TPP participant nations.

Not so fast. The Washington Post reported on February 19 on the pressure the president is feeling from his own party to pump the brakes on the TPP and fast track authority:

Already, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are opposed to moving forward with granting Obama fast-track authority.

"Everyone would be well-advised just to not push this right now," Reid said in March. He's generally opposed to large global trade agreements.

Resistance from Reid and Pelosi usually would be enough to at least ease the White House push. But Obama and Vice President Biden have also been directly confronted on the issue in recent weeks by rank-and-file members. And 151 House Democrats — more than half of the caucus — co-signed a letter late last year written by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) to voice opposition to fast track authority and the TPP.

[freshwest]

3. It all depends on who votes in November. People that agree with Reid and Pelosi will vote. Those who

are just using it for fodder to diss Reid and Pelosi, will vote GOPLibertarianTea or stay at home and let them have their way again like 2010.

I say good for Obama, who is clearly not The Decider©, but will use it any way he could to advantage Americans if it passes.

And I thank Reid and Pelosi, who are hated just as much as Obama is on this issue and just about everything.

Don't want this trade treaty?

Vote or don't complain. I didn't used to say that, but it's apparent that is how the GOP is winning elections

Thanks very much for that excellent addition here.

K&Ring the thread here.

[lark]

2. Excellent

Just say no to fast track and kill the whole stinking worker and environmental disaster before it can be born. I like that idea. Stupid Repugs!