In the Senate, opponents of TPA passage decry the surrender of Congressional authority and responsibility to the President.
The Senate and House have no input after final passage of TPA. The vote on TPA is expected tomorrow, Wednesday.
Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio spoke in opposition to Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon before the vote. Brown objected to Republican Majority Leader McConnell's move to shut down debate and rush Fast Track through the Congress, and to the secrecy inherent in the whole process. Criticizing McConnell for moving to abrogate Congressional responsibility and authority, Brown said that now is not the time for members to give up debate, as this is the time "when we have maximum leverage over negotiations" on trade.
He called it "shameful" that there would not be more debate on the matter since passage of TPA assures that TPP will pass.
Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who has carefully "read the bills" and is an opponent of TPA and TPP, warned that “Americans increasingly believe that their country isn’t serving its own citizens."
He went on to say: "They need look no further than a bipartisan vote of Congress that will transfer congressional power to the Executive Branch and, in turn, to a transnational Pacific Union and the global interests who will help write its rules....
"President Obama, and allies in Congress, have won this fast-track vote. But, in exchange, they may find that they are losing something far greater: the trust of the American people."
What is he, chopped liver?
Sen. Sherrod Brown
Sen Sherrod Brown, Ohio, trade expert, who has not been able to share and discuss issues and amendments on the massive treaty that will be "fast-tracked" through Congress.
'They're celebrating in a few boardrooms now, but not in many other places,' Brown said after the vote.
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Though Fast Track was used by presidents for a total of 5 out of the past 21 years, we have never had a treaty as large as the 12-nation TPP, which will affect 40% of the world's trade. In addition, trade is said to be a small part of this massive pact which covers many areas and is far-reaching. One example is "ISDS," shorthand for a controversial provision which sets up corporate tribunals.
TPA is to last for 6 consecutive years and gives this president and the next complete control over content of this treaty and selection of participating nations.
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Public Citizens' "Eyes on Trade" says:
(June 23, 2015) Today’s action means that Congress will tie its hands to prevent it from exerting positive influence over negotiations of the TPP. It means that the final TPP agreement will very likely include provisions empowering foreign corporations to sue our own government for policies that they claim impinge on their expected future profits. It means that the final TPP will very likely include provisions that will extend Big Pharma monopolies, raising prices for consumers and health systems – and, even in the United States, and especially in the poorer TPP countries, denying people access to needed medical treatment. It means that the final TPP will very likely include provisions undermining our food safety.
What it doesn’t mean is that Congress must pass such a TPP. When the inexcusable and anti-democratic veil of secrecy surrounding the TPP is finally lifted, and the American people see what is actually in the agreement, they are going to force their representatives in Washington to vote that deal down. Members who fail to do so can expect their constituents to hold them accountable.
http://citizen.typepad.com/...
Note: POLL Last question: check off if answer is "Yes"