[CTC] Batch of statements opposing Fast Track
Arthur Stamoulis
arthur at citizenstrade.org
Thu Apr 16 15:53:22 PDT 2015
Apologies for the sloppy formatting and mile-long message on this one. Thought most would appreciate one email more than twenty. Below are statements opposing the Fast Track bill from:
Faith Leaders
Pride At Work
NRDC
Rep. Levin
Machinists
Coalition for a Prosperous America
CWA
Friends of the Earth
350.org
Global Trade Watch
Teamsters
AFL-CIO
Sierra Club
Rep. Doggett
United Steelworkers
Democracy for America
Food & Water Watch
UFCW
Rep. Pocan
We’ll get these nicely formatted and into a PDF before too long. I wanted you to have them now to aid in any immediate outreach and lobbying.
Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826
> Begin forwarded message:
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> FAITH LEADERS STATEMENT
> Contact: Elizabeth Nye, enye at columban.org <mailto:enye at columban.org>, 202-635-5811
> WASHINGTON, DC—A number of faith leaders representing religious communions, denominations, and organizations across the country spoke out today to voice their concern about the newly released Trade Promotion Authority bill, or Fast Track, which would give the president unilateral power to sign the secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement without a chance for debate in Congress. This legislation is deeply troubling to people of faith, who witness the impact of past free trade negotiations on God’s people and Creation in the United States and around the world.
> “Any ‘Fast Track’ mechanism designed to advance the Trans-Pacific Partnership would only further silence the voices of those who have been harmed by past trade agreements. The vulnerable and marginalized are our priority as a church, and we cannot serve them when the ability for public debate is compromised. Without congressional oversight where it is due, the Trans-Pacific Partnership will surely follow in the destructive footsteps of NAFTA and CAFTA,” said Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness.
>
> Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, said, “Fast Track is a broken and undemocratic process that closes off debate and silences the voices of people not at the negotiating table. We know from past agreements that the adverse impacts of such agreements are not considered by those who seek to benefit greatly from their provisions. To compound that problem, Fast Track silences the voices that most need to be heard. Trade agreements need a full discussion. They must reflect our values and support the common good.”
> Sr. Patricia McDermott, President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, said, “Opposition to the Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an urgent moral issue, with grave consequences. With our commitment to persons who are poor, especially women and girls, the Sisters of Mercy are greatly concerned about what could become a globalized race to the bottom for cheap production, with countries like Vietnam and Brunei becoming the newly exploited labor markets.”
> “Trade agreements impact many aspects of our lives, the lives of our neighbors around the world, and the environment,” said Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries. “These potentially harmful agreements need very careful and thorough scrutiny by Congress. We urge policymakers to defeat Fast Track legislation which would shorten and restrict the usual oversight process.”
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> “Catholic social teaching calls us to ensure community participation in the democratic process. We are disappointed that once again Congress is proposing a flawed form of trade authority that allows the president to sign an agreement that has not been fully debated. Also, the proposed trade agreement fails to take into account voices and needs of people living on the margins,” said Gerry Lee, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
> Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, said, “We support trade policies that are beneficial to all countries and peoples, especially the poorest among us. The Friends Committee on National Legislation opposes fast track trade promotion authority for the current trade agreements being negotiated because Fast Track is a fundamentally undemocratic process that will not care for creation or vulnerable communities.”
> “Fast Track curtails the voice of poor, whose needs should come before profit. We urge Congress to reject this legislation, which is unjust and undemocratic, and continue to stand in solidarity with the marginalized communities that have been negatively impacted by free trade agreements in countries where Columban missionaries serve. As Pope Francis has taught us, the economy should serve the people, not the other way around,” said Scott Wright, Director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach.”
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> The Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment includes representatives of a broad spectrum and religious institutions in the United States. We advocate for just trade and investment policies that prioritize God’s people and Creation.
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> =====
> Subject: Pride at Work Reacts to the Introduction of "Fast Track" Trade Promotion Authority
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> For Immediate Release
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> April 16, 2015
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> Contact: Jerame Davis
> jdavis at prideatwork.org <mailto:jdavis at prideatwork.org>
> Pride at Work Reacts to the Introduction of "Fast Track" Trade Promotion Authority
>
> WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senate Finance Committee chair Orin Hatch (R-UT) along with House Ways and Means Committee chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced a Fast Track trade bill <http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=sD1KOSAw329sw0fCJvN%2BV53dQKZOBARR> in both the Senate and House, respectively. Fast Track, also known as Trade Promotion Authority, will enable the completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive corporate giveaway that includes two nations - Brunei and Malaysia - known to abuse and sometimes kill women and LGBT people. Pride at Work Executive Director, Jerame Davis, released the following statement of disappointment:
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> “Corporate profit has, once again, shown to be a more powerful motivator than protecting American jobs or even basic human rights,” said Davis. “Fast Track Trade Promotion Authority is an ill-advised and outdated method of handling international trade and, if this bill passes, it will usher in one of the worst trade deals ever conceived. Not only would Fast Track enable the speedy passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that will threaten American jobs, the environment, our food supply, and more, it will also be a clear message to our friends and foes alike that the United States won't defend the basic human rights of LGBT people and women, if the price is right.
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> “The lopsided corporate giveaways in the TPP are profound and this Fast Track bill will allow it to sail through Congress without any meaningful debate and with no way to make changes even if legislators wanted to fix some of the worst issues. Every American who earns a paycheck should be concerned about the TPP. For LGBT people and women around the world, the problems in TPP are heightened by the inclusion of Brunei and Malaysia in the agreement. These two countries are some of the worst abusers of human rights for women and LGBT in the world and our government is set to crawl in bed with them by signing this sweetheart trade agreement that has no end date and would make give both countries privileged trade status.
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> “Only by rejecting Fast Track can Congress ensure that it can exercise its constitutionally mandated authority to vet and approve trade policy. Legislators must act now, by voting down Trade Promotion Authority, if they are to preserve their ability to amend the TPP to protect American jobs, women, LGBT people, and the environment or to fix any of the other myriad mistakes in the TPP."
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> Pride at Work is the official constituency group of LGBT union members and allies fighting for workplace equality for LGBT workers. We organize mutual support between the organized labor movement in the spirit of the union movement's historic motto, "An Injury to One is An Injury to All." Workers interested in joining Pride at Work or in launching new chapter organizing efforts, can visit www.prideatwork.org <http://www.prideatwork.org/> or email us at info at prideatwork.org <mailto:info at prideatwork.org>.
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> Subject: NRDC statement on fast track & link to our action alert
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> Below is NRDC’s statement on the fast track bill. We also have an action alert up (and will blast to our Members and activists early next week): https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3713 <https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3713>
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> http://www.nrdc.org/media/2015/150416.asp <http://www.nrdc.org/media/2015/150416.asp>
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> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> Contact: Elizabeth Heyd, 202-289-2424, eheyd at nrdc.org <mailto:eheyd at nrdc.org>
> "Fast Track’’ Trade Bill Would Undercut Health, Environmental Safeguards
>
> NRDC: Congress Should Reject the Proposal
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> WASHINGTON (April 16, 2015) – Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) today introduced “fast track’’ legislation that would allow President Obama to obtain expedited congressional approval of international trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the E.U.-U.S. trade agreement called Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
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> The following is a statement by Peter Lehner, executive director of the Natural Resources Defense Council:
>
> “These trade agreements would allow foreign corporations to challenge our chemical safeguards, climate protections and food safety laws at special trade tribunals outside our normal legal system. Congress should reject any fast track legislation that allows expedited approval for trade agreements that can undercut our public health and environmental safeguards.”
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> The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org <http://www.nrdc.org/> and follow us on Twitter @NRDC <https://twitter.com/#!/nrdc>.
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> Subject: Levin statement on bill
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> COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
> Sander M. Levin (D-MI), Ranking Member
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> April 16, 2015
>
> CONTACT
> Caroline Behringer <mailto:caroline.behringer at gmail.com>, (202) 226-1007
>
> Levin: TPA Bill is a Major Step Backwards on TPP Negotiations
> WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today responded to the House-Senate introduction of TPA legislation by releasing a document detailing how the bill falls short. It can be found here <http://democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/LEVIN%20--%20TPA%20--%20A%20Major%20Step%20Back%20on%20TPP%20Negotiations.pdf>.
>
> “Unfortunately, the Hatch-Wyden-Ryan Trade Promotion Authority does not move us toward a stronger TPP agreement that will garner broad, bipartisan support in Congress,” Rep. Levin said in the document. “TPP is not where it needs to be right now, and Hatch-Wyden-Ryan does nothing to change that. On all of the major issues in the negotiations, the negotiating objectives are obsolete or woefully inadequate. We can’t expect to get the best deal if we are not asking for the right things. The Hatch-Wyden-Ryan TPA gives up Congressional leverage at the exact wrong time. Instead of pressing USTR to get a better agreement or signaling to our negotiating partners that Congress will only accept a strong agreement, the Hatch-Wyden-Ryan TPA puts Congress in the back seat and greases the skids for an up-or-down vote after the fact. Real Congressional power is not at the end of the process, it is right now when the critical outstanding issues are being negotiated.”
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> 1106 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515
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> <http://democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/>- <http://www.facebook.com/waysandmeanscommitteedems>- <http://www.twitter.com/waysmeanscmte>. <http://www.youtube.com/user/waysandmeansdems>
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> Machinists Union President Responds to Deeply Flawed Fast Track Legislation
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> Washington, D.C., April 16, 2015 – International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) President Tom Buffenbarger today issued the following statement on the introduction of a Fast Track bill in the U.S. Senate:
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> “We are angered and deeply disappointed that the legislation introduced today repeats the same old corporate-driven approach to trade that has cost America hundreds of thousands of jobs,” said Buffenbarger. “The unenforceable negotiating goals for the nearly completed, yet still secret Trans-Pacific Partnership will not help working families struggling with stagnant wages nor U.S. businesses besieged by foreign currency manipulation. I call upon IAM members across America to contact their Senators and urge rejection of this deeply flawed legislation.”
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> As the leading aerospace union in North America, IAM members proudly manufacture products that are exported to countries around the globe. The IAM strongly believes that our trade negotiations and agreements must be open and transparent and reflect the interests of all Americans. This means enforceable labor and environmental standards, access to safe and affordable medicines, high quality food and product safety standards, as well as a rejection of the secret trade tribunals that give multinational corporations the ability to sue sovereign governments over domestic regulations.
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> -30-
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> Subject: CPA News Release: Senate Fast Track TPA Bill Continues Trade Deficits and Endorses Offshoring
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> CPA Statement on Senate Finance Committee's Newly Introduced Fast Track Trade Authority Bill
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> The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) was surprised to see the introduction of a Senate Fast Track trade authority bill (see PDF bill) <http://www.prosperousamerica.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fd3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net%2Fprosperousamerica%2Fpages%2F774%2Fattachments%2Foriginal%2F1429218878%2FBipartisan_Congressional_Trade_Priorities_and_Accountability_Act_of_2015.pdf%3F1429218878&e=60899508850d7ae5ff8a80d0eada83f046b1c878&utm_source=prosperousamerica&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=150416_pr&n=2> that ignores trade deficits and continues to enable modern foreign mercantilism.
> "CPA is disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee has failed and refused to set a new and positive American trade strategy," said Michael Stumo, CEO of CPA. "We have already harvested the trade deficit fruits of the existing trade agreement approach. But the Senate trade authority continues to ignore the trade performance failure of the recent Korea trade deal and many that came before. After 40 straight years of trade deficits and debt, balanced trade needs to be the new US trade goal."
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> A new "principal negotiating objective" in the Senate Fast Track bill also explicitly endorses offshoring of our supply chains. In text never seen in prior enacted legislation, the new bill states:
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> "The principal negotiating objectives of the United States regarding trade in goods are... to expand... the utilization of global value chains."
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> "The 'global value chains' language is Senate endorsement of offshoring our domestic supply chains," said Stumo. "CPA members know that modern successful producing and trading nations optimize and grow a broad array of domestic supply chains, through clustering and other means. We need to pursue the domestic supply chains that allow close coordination, less inventory, short lag times, and short transportation distances. They also enable the US to capture the jobs, process innovation, product innovation, ancillary services, and wealth creation at every level."
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> CPA, does however, appreciate Senator Hatch's and Wyden's inclusion of stronger enforcement provisions in the Fast Track bill.
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> However, until the US pivots from a "gross export" to a "net export" goal, deindustrialization, unemployment, income inequality and economic malaise will face our workers and businesses for the foreseeable future.
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> The Coalition for a Prosperous America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing the interests of 2.7 million households through our agricultural, manufacturing and labor members.
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> CWA: Secret "Fast Track" Process and Legislation Shows Disdain for U.S. Workers, Communities <>
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> Washington, D.C. – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) issued the following statement on the introduction of "fast track," also known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), in the U.S. Senate:
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> The "Fast Track," or TPA, legislation introduced today, and in fact, the entire process surrounding its inception, continues the lack of transparency and disdain for U.S. workers and communities that has been the hallmark of the past five years of negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
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> If this Fast Track bill were to be approved, Senators and Representatives would be agreeing to rubber stamp not only the TPP, which has been negotiated in almost total secrecy, but any other trade deal proposed over the next few years. President Obama has had Fast Track authority for the Colombia, Panama and Korea trade deals. This proposed legislation provides Fast Track for the next president.
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> "We need to put the brakes on Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority. Just like the TPP itself, there has been no transparency around TPA. We've had the start of a Senate hearing even before a bill was finalized and introduced. Now, that legislation is headed to mark up and a floor vote in just days. TPA pretends to be about trade, but in reality it is about protecting corporate profits above all else and defining our national security in terms of giving away our jobs, depressing our wages and then rewarding the responsible multinational corporations, often U.S. based, with guaranteed profits in the nations where they invest," said CWA President Larry Cohen.
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> The proposed Fast Track bill fails all the tests that Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said were critical: Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), transparency, action to combat currency manipulation, real enforcement of environmental and worker standards, and procedures to enable Congress "to right the ship if trade negotiators get off course," as Wyden put it. Since this legislation requires a supermajority, or 60 votes, for the Senate to remove the TPP or any subsequent deal from Fast Track consideration, this provision is virtually meaningless.
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> The U.S. is the only nation among the 12 TPP countries that requires elected representatives to give up their constitutional responsibility to review and amend major trade deals through a Fast Track process. We call on Congress to reject this flawed legislation.
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> http://www.foe.org/news/news-releases/2015-04-hatch-wyden-introduce-same-old-fast-track-model <http://www.foe.org/news/news-releases/2015-04-hatch-wyden-introduce-same-old-fast-track-model>
> Friends of the Earth news release
> Hatch, Wyden introduce same old Fast Track model
> Posted Apr. 16, 2015 / Posted by: Kate Colwell
>
> Plan would close the hatch on democracy and widen income inequality
> WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), introduced a plan to grant expedited Executive authority on trade deals. Called “Fast Track,” the plan announced today, is almost identical to the Fast Track bill rejected by Congress and the public in 2014. If approved, Fast Track would expedite congressional approval of two massive trade deals without amendment or proper consideration. The Trans Atlantic and Trans Pacific trade agreements, both of which are currently under negotiation by the Obama administration, would allow big oil companies and Wall Street financiers to sue for millions in compensation for the cost of complying with environmental and other regulations. More generally, the Atlantic and Pacific trade deals would trump sensible safeguards related to food safety, toxic chemicals, and global warming. If Fast Track is approved, these trade deals could be rammed through Congress.
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> The Hatch-Wyden bill would grant the executive branch powers the Constitution’s framers intended for Congress to exercise, including:
>
> The power to circumvent ordinary congressional committee review and directly submit the legislation for mandatory and expedited floor votes in the House and Senate;
> The power to override House and Senate control of their schedules for floor votes; and
> The power to ban any amendments to a trade agreement.
> Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica offers the following statement on the introduction of the Hatch–Wyden bill for trade promotion authority:
>
> This is the latest in a series of blatant moves which reveal that Congressional Republican leadership represents only the will of the richest one percent of individuals, big business and their donors, not we the people. Amid a litany of giveaways to the super rich, and aggressive assault on bedrock environmental laws and unabashed disdain for unions and workers, this plan is a deal in name only.
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> The Hatch–Wyden Fast Track bill is the same old model of closed door trade promotion legislation. Congress must not give away its constitutional authority and facilitate the ratification of environmentally destructive trade plans like the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. There is no excuse for Senator Wyden, given widespread opposition to the bill within his home state of Oregon, to sell out the environment and workers in this way.
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> Fast tracking these powers allows Congress to abdicate its responsibility, effectively shutting the hatch on democracy and widening income inequality.
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> ###
>
> Expert contact: Bill Waren, (202) 222-0746, wwaren at foe.org
> <mailto:wwaren at foe.org>Communications contact: EA Dyson, (202), 222-0730, edyson at foe.org <mailto:edyson at foe.org>
> =====
>
> 350.org Statement
> Just sent a full list TPP blast to hundreds of thousands of climate activists. pasted below. I hope you like it!
>
> Jason
>
> press statement: http://350.org/press-release/350-responds-to-introduction-of-tpp-fast-track-legislation/ <http://350.org/press-release/350-responds-to-introduction-of-tpp-fast-track-legislation/>
> tweets: https://twitter.com/350 <https://twitter.com/350>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Duncan Meisel - 350.org <http://350.org/> <350 at 350.org <mailto:350 at 350.org>>
> Date: Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 3:32 PM
> Subject: [Final mailing 6573] [Count 60000] The Trans-Pacific Partnership:
> To: jason at 350.org <mailto:jason at 350.org>
>
>
> Friends,
>
> The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a massive new trade deal under negotiation now, is the fossil fuel industry's latest tool to shut down climate action -- and today legislation was introduced in Congress that could make it law.
>
> Why would a trade agreement make it harder to fix climate change? Here's the shortest, simplest explanation:
>
> <http://act.350.org/go/7400?ak_proof=1&t=1&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> Leaked text from the deal shows that the TPP, if signed into law, would give foreign fossil fuel corporations the right to sue city, state and national governments if climate action hurts their profits.
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> It’s an enormous corporate power grab: any time we took action to keep carbon in the ground -- like by banning fracking, or stopping a pipeline, or putting a price on carbon pollution -- the fossil fuel industry could sue for the right to dig it right back out and sell it.
>
> The good news is that this is a plan we can stop. Today, Congress introduced a bill that would allow the TPP to be signed into law. This legislation, called Fast Track, faces a close vote -- if enough Members of Congress come out against this plan in the next few weeks, TPP stops in its tracks.
>
> Today we're calling on all our members of Congress to stand up to the TPP and vote no on Fast Track. Can you send a message to your members of Congress now to stop the TPP?
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> Click here to send a message to your representatives now: the climate movement opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership. <http://act.350.org/go/7400?ak_proof=1&t=2&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> The Trans-Pacific Partnership is being negotiated in secret because it is such a bad idea, and the corporations behind it are hoping it moves forward without too many people noticing. If our representatives know we're watching, they're much less likely to get behind this thing.
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> TPP could also be used to attack worker's rights, and so many other things that matter. For instance, if Illinois finally raises the minimum wage to $15, multinational corporations could sue the state and make taxpayers pay for lost profit. Every major organization fighting for economic justice for workers opposes it.
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> There are other ridiculous parts of the TPP. One section would end all environmental reviews of fracked gas export facilities, others would accelerate attacks on workers’ rights to organize.
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> And if TPP goes through, all of these bad ideas become the new law of the land.
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> For the past few weeks, hundreds of students and their allies have been marching, rallying and risking arrest to divest their schools from fossil fuels. They're doing it because digging up and burning as much fossil fuel as possible is wrong, and we need to keep carbon in the ground.
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> The TPP would make that job so much harder by putting us all on the hook to bail out Big Oil when climate action hits their bottom line. It’s bad for every worker struggling to make ends meet, and it’s bad for the climate. Let's tell Congress to put a stop to this bad idea before it gets started. Click here to send a message now <http://act.350.org/go/7400?ak_proof=1&t=3&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>.
>
> Yours in action,
>
> Duncan
>
> Sources:
>
> "The Trans-Pacific Partnership clause everyone should oppose" Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Washington Post, Feb. 25th 2015.
> www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kill-the-dispute-settlement-language-in-the-trans-pacific-partnership/2015/02/25/ec7705a2-bd1e-11e4-b274-e5209a3bc9a9_story.html <http://act.350.org/go/7415?ak_proof=1&t=4&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> "Raw Deal: How the TPP Could Threaten our Climate" The Sierra Club, 2015 [PDF]
> www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/trade_downloads_raw-deal-report.pdf <http://act.350.org/go/7416?ak_proof=1&t=5&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> "How about a ‘not-so-fast' track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership?" John Fullerton, The Guardian, December 19th, 2015
> www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/dec/19/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-trade-agreement-climate-treaty <http://act.350.org/go/7417?ak_proof=1&t=6&akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> 350.org <http://350.org/?akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_> is building a global climate movement. Become a sustaining donor to keep this movement strong and growing. <https://act.350.org/donate/build/?akid=6573.703769.B3nLt_>
> =====
>
> Subject: Statement on Fast Track bill
>
> For Immediate Release: Contact: Symone Sanders (202) 454-5108
> April 15, 2015 ssanders at citizen.org <mailto:ssanders at citizen.org>
>
> Fast Track Introduced: Hatch Bill Would Revive Controversial 2002 Mechanism That Faces Broad Congressional, Public Opposition
>
> Statement of Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch
>
> The Fast Track bill introduced today would revive the old unacceptable Fast Track process. It would delegate away Congress’ constitutional trade authority and give blank-check powers to whoever may be president during the next three to six years for any agreements he or she may pursue. The bill does not require negotiators to actually meet Congress’ negotiating objectives in order to obtain the Fast Track privileges, making the bill’s negotiating objectives entirely unenforceable.
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> Instead of establishing a new “exit ramp,” the bill includes the same impossible conditions from past Fast Track bills that make the mechanism to remove an agreement from Fast Track unusable. The bill’s only new feature in this respect is a new procedure that would only be usable after an agreement was already signed and entered into that would require approval by 60 Senators to take a pact off of Fast Track consideration, even though a simple majority “no” vote in the Senate would have the same effect on an agreement. In contrast, the 1988 Fast Track empowered either the Ways and Means or the Finance committees to vote by simple majority to remove the pact from Fast Track consideration with no additional floor votes required and such a disapproval action was authorized before a president could sign and enter into a trade agreement.
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> Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would make it easier for corporations to offshore American jobs, would undermine our wages by forcing Americans to compete with Vietnamese workers making less than 60 cents an hour and would expose our consumer and environmental safeguards to attack by foreign corporations in extra-judicial tribunals.
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> Even though the TPP is almost complete, and the Obama administration dismissed bicameral, bipartisan majority demands that the TPP include disciplines against currency cheating, Congress is now being asked to delegate away its constitutional trade authority over the TPP.
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> This is almost identical to the Fast Track bill that was dead on arrival in the House last year. We don’t see it passing. Congress has allowed Fast Track to go into effect only for five of the past 21 years (2002-2007).
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> =====
> Subject: Hoffa: Congress is Facing its Last Call to Stand Up for Fair Trade
>
> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-p-hoffa/congress-is-facing-its-la_b_7042722.html <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-p-hoffa/congress-is-facing-its-la_b_7042722.html>
>
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> For Immediate Release Contact:
> April 16, 2015 Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6911
> gmunroe at teamster.org <mailto:gmunroe at teamster.org>
>
>
> HOFFA STATEMENT ON INTRODUCTION OF FAST TRACK BILL
>
> Teamsters General President Says Workers Shouldn’t Be In The Dark On Trade Deals
>
> (WASHINGTON) – The following is the official statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to the introduction today in Congress of legislation that would allow Congress to give a quick up-or-down vote to trade agreements like the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership currently being negotiated with no chance to amend them.
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> “Leaders in the House and Senate, buoyed by their friends in big business, are moving forward with pushing fast-track trade promotion legislation that would allow secret trade pacts to sail through Congress with no chance to alter them. That’s bad for American workers as well as their families.
>
> “Fast track would give negotiators involved with crafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free reign to promote the corporate agenda over the well-being of ordinary citizens. Here in the U.S., thousands of jobs would be shipped overseas to places like Vietnam that pay workers less than $3 a day. It would be a continuation of the gutting of the middle class that began under NAFTA.
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> “For those fortunate enough to keep their jobs, however, there is still reason for concern. They would be inundated with substandard food and products from foreign shores that would jeopardize their health and safety. Then there is the concern of non-American corporations suing to overturn U.S. law so they can sell their products here and stick taxpayers with their legal settlement tab to boot.
>
> “We see firsthand the devastating impact that free trade agreements, like the South Korea trade deal, have on American workers and our economy. The South Korea agreement had its third anniversary recently, but this was little cause for celebration. This trade deal resulted in the loss of 84,000 good U.S. jobs and caused the trade deficit to soar by 85 percent.
>
> “Americans oppose the use of fast track to pass the TPP, which threatens jobs, wages, food safety and environmental protections. But they will be forced to endure it if this same-old trade vehicle is ultimately approved.”
>
> Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org <http://www.teamster.org/> for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters <http://www.facebook.com/teamsters>.
>
> -30-
>
>
> =====
>
> Subject: AFL-CIO Statement Against Fast Track
> Date: April 16, 2015 at 2:43:20 PM EDT
> Reply-To: Sean Savett <Ssavett at aflcio.org>
>
>
>
> For Immediate Release Contact: Sean Savett, 202-637-5018
>
> Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka: Stop the Fast Track to Lower Wages
> April 16, 2015
>
> “At a time when workers all over the country are standing up for higher wages, Congress is considering legislation that will speed through corporate-driven trade deals. For decades, we’ve seen how fast-tracked trade deals devastated our communities through lost jobs and eroded public services. We can’t afford another bad deal that lowers wages and outsources jobs. That’s why Congress must reject Fast Track (TPA-2015) and maintain its constitutional authority and leverage to improve the TPP and other trade deals.
>
> Trade deals have wide-ranging impacts and shouldn’t be negotiated behind closed doors and then rubber-stamped. The current Trans-Pacific Partnership deal under discussion would cover 40 percent of the world’s GDP. A deal this big should be debated in a full and open manner like every other piece of legislation. Working people are showing tremendous courage standing up to the low-wage, corporate agenda. It’s time for politicians to do the same.”
>
> ###
>
>
>
> =====
>
> Subject: Sierra Club: "Fast-track bill is toxic"
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
> Thursday, April 16, 2015
> Contact: Dan Byrnes, 202-495-3039 <tel:202-495-3039> or daniel.byrnes at sierraclub.org <mailto:daniel.byrnes at sierraclub.org>
> View Sierra Club Pressroom <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20329&Action=Follow+Link>
> Sierra Club: “Fast-track bill is toxic”
> Legislation would rush trade deals that harm the environment through Congress
> WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) introduced legislation that would grant “fast track” authority for trade deals including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). If this legislation is approved by Congress, the President would be able to send already signed trade pacts to Congress for straight up-or-down votes -- with no room for amendments and limited floor debate.
> This legislation will face stiff opposition from environmental organizations, among others in a large coalition opposing fast tracking the environmentally-destructive TPP. In January, more than 40 top environmental groups sent a letter <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20328&Action=Follow+Link> to Congress denouncing fast track.
> In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
> “This fast-track bill is toxic for Congress and for our air, water, and climate. We’ve seen this all before. This bill replicates an old, failed model of trade authority that rushes deals through Congress and strips out the vital protections and oversight that ensure trade pacts benefit American communities, workers, and the environment. Americans who care about clean air and clean water won’t support a bill that takes away the ability of those we elected to protect our basic needs. Members of Congress need to carefully evaluate the costs and consequences of trade deals on our economy and environment -- not to haphazardly push pacts over the finish line. That’s why we are calling on members of Congress to take back the reins on trade and toss aside the failed fast track model.”
> ###
> About the Sierra Club
> The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.1 million members and supporters nationwide. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20327&Action=Follow+Link>.
> <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20326&Action=Follow+Link> <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20325&Action=Follow+Link> <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20324&Action=Follow+Link> <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20323&Action=Follow+Link>
> Sierra Club | 85 2nd St San Francisco, CA 94105 | sierra.news at sierraclub.org <mailto:sierra.news at sierraclub.org>
> To subscribe, email media.assistant at sierraclub.org <mailto:media.assistant at sierraclub.org> | www.sierraclub.org/pressroom <http://sierraclub.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d8471%408-%3eLCE5%3a2%3c5%3d%26SDG%3c90%3a.&RE=MC&RI=4227984&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=20322&Action=Follow+Link>
> Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.
>
> =====
>
>
> <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.house.gov%2fdoggett>
>
> April 16, 2015
>
>
> John English
> Program Associate
> Citizens Trade Campaign
> PO Box 77077
> Washington, D.C. 20013
>
> Dear John:
>
> Earlier today, Senate Republican Orrin Hatch and House Republican Congressman Paul Ryan introduced the so-called "Trade Promotion Authority" to fast track the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other proposed trade agreements, including one with the European Union.
>
> While I have voted for many trade agreements, I do not believe that Congress should relinquish its trade oversight authority. This really is a fast track--seeking to railroad the Trans-Pacific Partnership through while USTR hides from Congress the most important details. By removing the congressional steering wheel and brake, this fast track bill derails a full debate and restricts meaningful access to secret trade deals. This fast track is the wrong track.
>
> A wide coalition of groups including the Sierra Club and the AFL-CIO all oppose this legislation. I expect Ways and Means, on which I serve, as well as the Senate Finance Committee to consider this legislation as soon as next week. Senate Finance Democrats issued a statement, which I've included below, protesting the fast tracking of the so called "fast track" bill.
>
> I would really like to hear your thoughts on this and other issues that may be considered in Congress. Please take a moment to visit my website at doggett.house.gov <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fdoggett.house.gov> where you can complete a survey <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fforms.house.gov%2fdoggett%2fwebforms%2fsurveymail.html> online. I also hope that you will take this opportunity to sign up for the latest updates <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fforms.house.gov%2fdoggett%2fwebforms%2fsubscribe.html> from my office, visit my Facebook page <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2f%23!%2flloyddoggett>, follow me on Twitter <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=http%3a%2f%2fwww.twitter.com%2fRepLloydDoggett>, or send me an e-mail at Lloyd.Doggett at mail.house.gov <mailto:Lloyd.Doggett at mail.house.gov>.
>
> Please keep me advised of any federal matters on which I may be of assistance.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Lloyd Doggett
> <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fforms.house.gov%2fdoggett%2fwebforms%2fsubscribe.html> <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2flloyddoggett> <https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=TX25LD&crop=15563.11976150.7792046.8566043&redirect=https%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fRepLloydDoggett>
>
> Senate Finance Committee Dems Issue Joint Statement During Hearing on Trade
> WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing examining Trade Promotion Authority, Sens. Bob Menendez, Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Bob Casey (D-PA) issued the following joint statement:
> “With millions of jobs on the line, American workers and manufacturers deserve more than a hastily scheduled hearing without an underlying bill. Congress should undergo a thorough and deliberative committee process for debating trade agreements that account for 40 percent of our world’s GDP. And we should be debating a bill that has seen the light of day and contains strong provisions to protect American workers against illegal trade practices like currency manipulation.”
> ###
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>
> =====
>
> Fast Track Introduced: Hatch Bill Would Revive Controversial 2002 Mechanism That Faces Broad Congressional, Public Opposition
>
> Statement of Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch
>
> The Fast Track bill introduced today would revive the old unacceptable Fast Track process. It would delegate away Congress’ constitutional trade authority and give blank-check powers to whoever may be president during the next three to six years for any agreements he or she may pursue. The bill does not require negotiators to actually meet Congress’ negotiating objectives in order to obtain the Fast Track privileges, making the bill’s negotiating objectives entirely unenforceable.
>
> Instead of establishing a new “exit ramp,” the bill includes the same impossible conditions from past Fast Track bills that make the mechanism to remove an agreement from Fast Track unusable. The bill’s only new feature in this respect is a new procedure that would only be usable after an agreement was already signed and entered into that would require approval by 60 Senators to take a pact off of Fast Track consideration, even though a simple majority “no” vote in the Senate would have the same effect on an agreement. In contrast, the 1988 Fast Track empowered either the Ways and Means or the Finance committees to vote by simple majority to remove the pact from Fast Track consideration with no additional floor votes required and such a disapproval action was authorized before a president could sign and enter into a trade agreement.
>
> Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would make it easier for corporations to offshore American jobs, would undermine our wages by forcing Americans to compete with Vietnamese workers making less than 60 cents an hour and would expose our consumer and environmental safeguards to attack by foreign corporations in extra-judicial tribunals.
>
> Even though the TPP is almost complete, and the Obama administration dismissed bicameral, bipartisan majority demands that the TPP include disciplines against currency cheating, Congress is now being asked to delegate away its constitutional trade authority over the TPP.
>
> This is almost identical to the Fast Track bill that was dead on arrival in the House last year. We don’t see it passing. Congress has allowed Fast Track to go into effect only for five of the past 21 years (2002-2007).
>
> =====
>
> Subject: USW statement in opposition to Fast Track
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Wayne Ranick (412) 562-2444
> April 16, 2015 wranick at usw.org <mailto:wranick at usw.org>
> Gary Hubbard (202) 256-8125
> ghubbard at usw.org <mailto:ghubbard at usw.org>
>
> USW Opposes Fast Track Bill: It’s time for a New Trade Policy, Not More of the Same
>
> (Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard issued the following statement today following the release of legislation today by Senators Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden and Congressman Paul Ryan to provide the President fast track trade negotiating authority.
>
> “Today’s fast track bill will only continue outmoded trade policies that have decimated American manufacturing with more than 60,000 shuttered factories and millions of lost jobs. It’s time for a new trade policy, not more of the same.
>
> “The USW is not against trade, but unfortunately the history of trade agreements is clear: I don’t know anyone who can name an agreement passed under fast track that has resulted in a net gain of jobs for working Americans. The fast track bill introduced today fails to ensure that future trade agreements will produce the results that will enhance wages and job security, and address income inequality.
>
> “Congress has included negotiating objectives in past fast track authority legislation requiring trade deficit reduction, adequate attention to workers’ rights, provisions to address unfair tax rebate policies and other provisions that were not achieved in final trade agreements. New negotiating objectives, such as addressing currency manipulation, are unlikely to be fulfilled even though it is included as an objective in a bill.
>
> “Fast track will only perpetuate existing trade policies which are in dramatic need of change. Providing expedited procedures and preferential treatment for trade agreements that don’t provide the results America needs is unacceptable. A good trade agreement doesn’t need the protection of fast track -- it would have the strong support of the American people.
>
> “For Steelworkers, trade isn’t an academic or political issue; it’s about kitchen table economics: Will our members be able to keep their jobs and put food on their tables, pay their bills, put their kids through college and have a safe and secure retirement? We have had to spend far too much time, energy and resources fighting to have existing trade agreements enforced. Fast track will only keep the current system in place and that’s unacceptable.”
>
> The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed among industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, plus the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org <http://www.usw.org/>
>
> # # #
>
>
>
> =====
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Neil Sroka <nsroka at democracyforamerica.com <mailto:nsroka at democracyforamerica.com>>
> Date: Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 2:45 PM
> Subject: DFA on FAST TRACK: Like Iraq War vote, support “for Fast Track, TPP… will never be forgotten”
> To: nsroka at democracyforamerica.com <mailto:nsroka at democracyforamerica.com>
>
>
> The NEW YORK TIMES just reported that a deal on Fast Track has been reached in the U.S. Senate <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/business/obama-trade-legislation-fast-track-authority-trans-pacific-partnership.html>.
>
> Statement from Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, calling on Senate Democrats to reject the new deal on Fast Track for the TPP:
>
> "In poll after poll and call after call, the American people have been extremely clear in their opposition to Fast Track and the job-killing, NAFTA-style Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
>
> "Democrats in the U.S. Senate now must choose whether they stand with their constituents who oppose Fast Track or the army of corporate lobbyists and lawyers who see it as the first step towards a shadowy trade deal that will make it easier to sell tainted food in our supermarkets, sue governments in secret courts for passing laws they don't like, and pay foreign workers as little as 56 cents an hour.
>
> "With the views of the American people so clear, there is simply no excuse for any Democrat who votes for Fast Track. Like a vote for the Iraq War or statements of support for the Social Security-cutting Bowles-Simpson plan, a vote for Fast Track and the TPP will never be forgotten and will haunt members of Congress for years to come.”-- Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America
>
> Information about Democracy for America and the fight against Fast Track and the TPP:
> Democracy for America <http://democracyforamerica.com/> (DFA) has been battling Fast Track and the TPP since early 2014, originally pushing against Rep. Ron Kind's effort to promote the trade deal <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/09/trans-pacific-partnership-obama-boehner_n_4570837.html> within the House Democratic caucus.
> In 2015, DFA has released polling showing the reelection risks Oregon Senator Ron Wyden would face <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/19/ron-wyden-fast-track-trade-deal_n_6714748.html> for his work on Fast Track, and reported that 93% of DFA members in Oregon said Wyden should face a primar <http://thehill.com/policy/finance/237020-left-threatens-to-oust-key-dem-over-trade>y if he worked with Republicans to pass the trade deal.
> Last week, DFA released polling showing just how in danger Republican Senator Rob Portman would be in his Ohio Senate race <http://www.politico.com/morningtrade/0415/morningtrade17843.html?ml=tl_8_b> if he voted with his party on Fast Track and the TPP.
> Founded in 2004, DFA is a people-powered PAC with 1 million members who have raised and contributed more than $32.7 million and made more than 10.1 million volunteer calls to help successfully elect 831 progressive candidates nationwide.
> Please let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Neil
>
> =====
>
> April 16, 2015
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Contact: Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch, (202) 683-4905, kfried at fwwatch.org
>
> Same Old Fast Track Would Unravel Consumer Protections
> Trade deals will weaken consumer protections and increase imports of potentially risky food
>
> WASHINGTON—Today, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced their Fast Track trade promotion legislation (The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, TPA-2015) that includes provisions that would weaken consumer protections, undermine U.S. food safety standards and prevent commonsense food labeling. The legislation is nearly identical to the measure Senator Hatch introduced last year that failed to garner Congressional approval. It replicates the provisions of Fast Track bills from bygone eras (in 1991 and 2002 in the buildup to NAFTA and CAFTA) and deprives Congress of its constitutionally mandated role in setting U.S. policy in a more complex international commercial landscape.
>
> “Congress should reject this retrograde Fast Track trade legislation that is designed to usher in the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership – a trade deal that is a raw deal for consumers,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. “The fine print in Fast Track contains an all-out attack on America’s consumer protection and food safety laws.”
>
> The legislation dismisses the importance of food safety and consumer protection in trade negotiations, although unsafe imported foods and products have deluged consumers over the past twenty years of corporate-driven globalization. The bill specifically only allows trade negotiators to “take into account” (not “obtain” or “ensure”) the “legitimate health or safety [and] consumer interests,” relegating these safeguards to second class status behind mandatory objectives for business interests and allowing unelected trade negotiators to decide which U.S. consumer protections are “legitimate” (Sec. 2(a)(13)).
>
> “Fast Track allows U.S. trade negotiators to trade away vital consumer safeguards to win giveaways and protections for big business in the TPP or other trade deals,” said Hauter. “The safety of American consumers is up for sale under Fast Track.”
>
> Several provisions of the Fast Track bill would erode food safety oversight for imported food and threaten sensible food labels. Fast Track requires the United States to approve the food safety systems of exporting countries even when domestic oversight is stronger (Sec. 2(b)(3)(A)(ii)). This forced “equivalence” of foreign food safety systems can expose consumers to imported foodborne hazards and it is how the U.S. imported 2.5 million pounds of E. coli tainted ground beef from a Canadian plant that replaced most of its government safety inspectors with its own employees. Fast Track also identifies some consumer labels as “unjustified trade restrictions” that would be targeted for elimination (Sec. 2(b)(3)(I)(ii)).
>
> “Consumers coast-to-coast are fighting for the right to know what is in the food they are feeding their families, but Fast Track would make it even harder to get commonsense food labels,” said Hauter. “This approach to trade could eliminate country of origin labeling and GMO labeling and weaken imported food inspection to satisfy the corporate interests who are writing these trade deals.”
>
> Fast Track is being pushed to seal the TPP trade deal with 11 Pacific Rim nations, but the deregulation in Fast Track and the TPP could expose consumers to more dangerous imported foods. Surging imports under free trade deals have overwhelmed U.S. food safety inspectors at the border. For example, only about 2 percent of the 5.4 billion pounds of imported fish and seafood are inspected. Fish farmers in TPP nations Vietnam and Malaysia often use veterinary drugs and fungicides that are banned in the United States because the residues can cause cancer, allergic reactions and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
>
> “The TPP will bring a tidal wave of dangerous fish imports that will swamp the border inspectors that cannot keep up with the tainted aquaculture imports today,” said Hauter. “Congress must reject the Fast Track bill that is designed to seal the deal on TPP.”
>
> Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainable. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping shared resources under public control.
> ###
>
>
> =====
>
> Subject: UFCW President Perrone: We are Determined to See Fast Track Defeated
> Date: April 16, 2015 at 3:19:43 PM EDT
>
>
> For Immediate Release: April 16, 2015
> Contact Tim Schlittner, 202-262-3570, tschlittner at ufcw.org <mailto:tschlittner at ufcw.org>
> UFCW President Perrone: We are Determined to See Fast Track Defeated
>
> WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marc Perrone, International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) <http://www.ufcw.org/>, today released the following statement in response to the agreement reached on trade promotion authority or fast track.
>
> “The TPP and fast track are not just wrong for America, they will hurt every hard-working family. The fact that Democrats and Republicans support TPP is a bipartisan insult to the millions of men and women struggling to find good jobs and earn a decent living.
>
> Make no mistake, we are determined to see this legislation defeated. Our members will mobilize across the United States to call on Congress to stand up for hard-working families. While we may not be able to change every mind, our voices will be heard. And we will remember those who turned their back on America’s workers by voting for another destructive trade deal.”
>
> A copy of President Perrone’s Wednesday op-ed in The Hill is linked here <http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/238797-trans-pacific-partnership-will-harm-middle-and-working> and copied below.
> ###
>
>
>
> Join the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union <http://www.ufcw.org/> (UFCW) online at www.ufcw.org <http://www.ufcw.org/>
> We are 1.3 million families standing together to build an economy that every hard-working family deserves.
>
> www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational <https://sharepoint.ufcw.org/Communications/Communications%20Shared%20Work/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/UF8394FE/www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational> @UFCW <http://www.twitter.com/UFCW>
>
>
> April 15, 2015, 02:00 pm
>
> Trans-Pacific Partnership will harm middle and working class Americans
>
> By Marc Perrone
>
> Four years ago, after careful consideration, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) decided to endorse the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement, making us one of the only labor unions to do so. We viewed the Korea deal—which had improved labor standards and was estimated to create over 20,000 jobs in the meat sector, as a small, but not insignificant, step forward on global trade policy. As the union that represents hundreds of thousands of meatpacking and food processing workers, we support fair trade agreements that open up new markets to sell UFCW-made products abroad.
>
> This time it’s different. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is not the Korea free trade agreement. It is neither free nor fair. And the UFCW is determined to see it defeated.
>
> The truth is as we’ve heard during past trade debates, many Republicans and even some Democrats, repeatedly say that the TPP won’t hurt families or communities, or devastate industries, unions, or the middle and working classes.
>
> America’s families know from experience the brutal reality will be quite different.
>
> Over the last three decades, in large part because of bad trade deals, Americans have worked harder than ever, while wages remain stagnant. Income and economic inequality has grown to historically high levels. Industry consolidation, fueled by unchecked global competition, has led to countless jobs being lost. Good union jobs have been decimated across nearly every state and replaced by either no job, or non-union jobs that barely pay above minimum wage.
>
> As for the TPP, while a bipartisan chorus will sing the praises of this trade deal, they choose to ignore the truth that it is America’s working men and women, not them, who will pay the price as irresponsible corporations justify future cuts to wages, hours, and jobs–all in the name of “international competition.”
>
> If that wasn’t bad enough, the TPP goes even further by rolling back regulations that could be construed as a “barrier to trade,” which includes environmental, consumer, and labor protections. And, if there were any remaining doubts, this massive trade deal, which will impact tens of millions of American jobs, has been put together in secret, with the advice and counsel of hundreds of corporate special interests with absolutely no input from labor or other groups that fight on behalf of the working and middle classes.
>
> Given all that we know, how any elected official, Democrat or Republican, can support the TPP is inexplicable.
>
> So, on behalf of the 1.3 million hard-working men and women of the UFCW, we are calling on every member of Congress to oppose the TPP and the fast-track legislation that would make it possible to pass the TPP.
>
> Let me be very clear, no elected official, regardless of political party, who is truly interested in making the economy better and fairer, can responsibly support the TPP. Simply put, this trade deal, like so many others, is bad for our workers, families, and shared future.
>
> In the end, while we may not be able to change every mind, we will remember those elected officials who stood with America’s workers by voting for jobs and against another destructive trade deal. More to the point, we join with the AFL-CIO and other unions that refuse to support any member of Congress that decides to put narrow self-interests above the interests of hard-working families.
>
> Marc Perrone is International President of the 1.3 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> =====
> Subject: Pocan Opposes Fast-Track Trade Promotion Authority Plan
> Date: April 16, 2015 at 3:20:05 PM EDT
> Reply-To: "Nguyen, Alex" <Alex.Nguyen at mail.house.gov>
>
>
> News from
> Congressman Mark Pocan
> REPRESENTING WISCONSIN’S SECOND
> CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
>
> Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/repmarkpocan?hc_location=timeline> || Twitter <https://twitter.com/repmarkpocan> || YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz5b47WER_u3dUGV_Zi70dQ?feature=plcp>
>
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alex Nguyen <mailto:Alex.Nguyen at mail.house.gov> (Pocan) 202-225-2906
> April 16, 2015
>
> Pocan Opposes Fast-Track Trade Promotion Authority Plan
>
> Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) today issued the following statement on the Trade Promotion Authority proposal introduced by U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI):
>
> “This Trade Promotion Authority Bill repeats the trade mistakes of the past and fails to provide critical protections for American workers, the environment, and our overall economy.
>
> “The Hatch-Wyden proposal puts the paychecks of hardworking Americans on the line. Over the last three decades, in large part because of bad trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA, Americans have worked harder than ever for less. In fact, hundreds of thousands of jobs – factory jobs, middle-class jobs – in states across the country were lost. Anyone who does not see the connection between our economy and the failed trade agreements of the past will remain on the wrong side of the future. We cannot let history repeat itself by pushing a Trade Promotion Authority bill which paves the road for an agreement which undermines American sovereignty and puts our workers’ wages and jobs at risk.
>
> “If passed, Fast-Track would ram through trade agreements, negotiated in secret, through Congress without giving Members of Congress sufficient time to debate and limits Congress’ ability to make amendments. Essentially, this Fast-Track proposal provides carte blanche to the President and the U.S. Trade Representative on trade matters, while tying Congress’ hands.
>
> “With still too many questions left unanswered and a history of broken trade promises, Congress should not give away its constitutional authority to the President – regardless of party. I urge my colleagues to oppose this trade promotion legislation because it does not do enough to protect American workers, our environment, and our economy.”
>
> ###
> ---
>
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