On Thursday, Republicans led by Sen. Orin Hatch (R-Utah) blocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) bill requiring trade deal transparency concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. The bill would have demanded public disclosure of trade agreements before they reach “fast-track” status.?Warren was joined by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) who were advocating measures that would have allowed the public to see?the details of this dark?”behind closed doors” trade deal.?The bill would have complicated the proponents of the TPP, who have been pushing for “fast-tracking” the deal since its inception. By “fast-tracking” the trade deal Congress can hold a simple majority vote and would prohibit lawmakers from offering any amendments.
In straightforward language, the “Warren Bill” ?would have required President Obama to post the details of any trade deals 60 days before signing it into law. As it stands now, current trade agreements automatically get fast-track status.??Warren’s bill would have complicated the trade talks with 11 Asian-Pacific countries that the Obama administration claims is vital to the TPP negotiations.
In a statement, Hatch elaborated that those who oppose trade deals are using the “lack of transparency” argument as an excuse to oppose the bill. However Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) rebutted Hatch’s comment that the concerns over the TPP and the secret nature of it’s details is not a partisan issue. Americans are against this trade deal, and the demographics go across party lines.
“I respect my president. I’ve talked to him, and I know in his heart he’s doing what he thinks is right, but he says this isn’t secret and everyone’s got access to it,” Boxer said. “This is not an open process.”
(Sen. Barbara Boxer D-CA)
Warren, along with 2016 presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, have been leaders in what has become a Democratic Party civil war for lack of a better term. Warren, Boxer, Manchin and Sanders voted against ending the debate on the current bill Thursday.
Here Are Some Examples Of What We Get With TPP
Yesterday, Japan launched a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge South Korea’s import bans and the additional testing requirements for Japanese food after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident. South Korea expressed regret at Japan action and that its ban on some Japanese seafood was reasonable and involved safety concerns for that country’s citizens. Japan alleges these measures by South Korea violate the WTO’s sanitary agreement. This agreement is a WTO agreement that says in layman’s terms, basically, you are just a country so screw you.
Japan further alleges that?South Korea has failed to justify its trade restrictions as required by the WTO.?So, South Korea can’t say?they are going to test Japanese seafood to see if it’s filled with radiation before?they sell it to their citizens. There has been no decision yet on the issue. It has to go before a tribunal?and there lies the?problem.?The tribunal?court is made up of corporate judges, corporate prosecutors, and corporate defense lawyers.?A prime example of a kangaroo court.
It is critical to point out that the TPP trade deal has not yet passed and been signed into law. You can still call your elected representative to express your position in this matter. In fact, if you are represented by a Republican go to Obamatrade.com and read the conservative talking points against TPP. Opposition to this trade deal is one of those rare issues in today’s political world where there is bi-partisan agreement. But, just like the Citizen United fiasco, our elected officials cow-tow to their rich donors and lobbyists and circumvent the will of We The People.?
As mentioned, vast numbers of Americans do not want this trade deal. 75% of Americans want trade agreements that protect workers, the?environment, and jobs in the United States. Only 11% of Americans are in favor of these so-called “free trade deals.”
So, what is the objective of the TPP and what will it bring us??You can find our source and read it for yourself at ustr.gov. These are the official positions of the Unites States and President Obama.
Among the highlights – “food labeling” policy. The TPP would allow our junk food manufacturers to sue other countries for requiring warning labels on foods high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. The USTR warns that as much as 80% of U.S. manufacturers of junk foods would be affected by these warning labels and our export to these countries would be severely hampered.
In other words, our junk food manufacturers will be allowed to sue these countries like Peru, Chile, Mexico and others who are implementing these food labeling requirements and say you may no longer demand us to label our products as not being healthy.
These realities would lead any fair-minded caring person to ask why “Republicans Blocked Warren Bill Requiring Trade Deal Transparency?”
