House Democrats Again Shoot Down TPA as Floor Fight Looms
Fourteen House Democrats, led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., railed against Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership in a joint April 30 statement. The lawmakers hit back against changes to 2015 TPA legislation, which supporters say boosts congressional oversight…
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and requires more transparency in trade negotiations (see 1504170024). The statement also tore into the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for restrictions against releases of TPP proposals to the public, despite lawmaker access. “Unfortunately, we are prohibited from publicly discussing the many specific serious problems with the TPP’s terms because of national security classification conditions,” said the statement. “In sum, the text of the TPP makes clear that the concerns congressional Democrats have raised have fallen upon deaf ears. What is most unfortunate is that we have now reached this stage of deep disagreement over the TPP text after trying to work with USTR since 2009. Yet, we are now being asked to delegate fast-track authority to allow the President to sign and enter into this agreement.” The statement also criticizes poor currency, labor, environmental mandates in TPA, as well as dangerous investment stipulations in TPP talks. The number of House votes in support for TPA is largely unclear for both Democrats and Republicans, although Republicans opposition could top off at only a few dozen votes (see 1504270008).