[CTC] PDA Action Alert on the TRADE Act

[Citizens Trade Campaign]

There are 255 Democrats and 178 Republicans in the House. It takes a simple
majority, or 217 votes currently, to pass a trade deal. 

 

Our goal is to make sure this doesn't come up by pushing back hard right
now.

 

Democrats ask to meet Obama on Korea trade concerns

Thu, Jul 22 2010 By Doug Palmer

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L6BN20100722?type=politicsNews

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 100 U.S. Democratic lawmakers asked on
Thursday to meet with President Barack Obama to discuss their concerns about
his plan to seek congressional approval of a trade deal with South Korea.

 

"At a time when our economy is struggling to recover from the worst downturn
since the Great Depression, it is unthinkable to consider moving forward
with another job-killing FTA," the 110 members of the U.S. House of
Representatives said in a letter to Obama.

 

The letter underscores the battle Obama faces within his own party unless he
persuades South Korea to make substantial changes to the agreement it
negotiated three years ago with the administration of former President
George W. Bush.

 

Obama has said he wants to resolve outstanding concerns with the pact by
November so he can submit it to Congress by early next year, a move welcomed
by House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer.

 

U.S. trade official have identified two main issues blocking the pact: South
Korea's restrictions on imports of U.S. beefs, and auto trade provisions of
the pact that critics say favor South Korean automakers too much.

 

But in their letter, the 110 House Democrats made clear they had a longer
list of concerns.

 

"We oppose specific provisions of the agreement in the financial services,
investment and labor chapters because they benefit multi-national
corporations at the expense of small businesses and workers," they said.

 

"And we strongly object to the non-tariff barriers to the Korean market that
numerous U.S. industries -- including the auto, beef and textile sectors --
will continue to face even as their Korean counterparts receive virtually
total access to the American market," they said.

 

The letter was signed by many top Democrats including Financial Services
Committee Chairman Barney Frank, Rules Committee Chairman Louise Slaughter,
Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Education and Labor
Committee Chairman George Miller.

 

They said they want to meet with Obama to discuss their ideas for improving
the Korean trade deal, and the U.S. negotiating model for future free trade
agreements.

 

There are 255 Democrats and 178 Republicans in the House. It takes a simple
majority, or 217 votes currently, to pass a trade deal. Most Republicans are
expected to support the Korea agreement if it comes to a vote.

 

(Reporting by Doug Palmer; Editing by Xavier Briand)

 

Andrew Gussert
Director, Citizens Trade Campaign
1150  17th  Street N.W., Suite 300
Washington, D.C.  20036

 

Cell#:  202.494.8826
Fax#:  202.293.5308
 <http://www.citizenstrade.org> www.citizenstrade.org

skype/agussert

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