Fallout from Trans-Pacific Partnership leak, 'fast-track' opposition in U.S.

[JohnyCanuck]

A TPP cluster bomb dropped in Obama's lap this week. Here's what blew up in his face.

First, nearly half of House members have written the U.S. President "signaling their opposition to granting so-called fast-track authority that would make any agreement immune to a Senate filibuster and not subject to amendment," writes the New York Times, adding, "No major trade pact has been approved by Congress in recent decades without such authority."

That included a letter from 151 Democrats, 22 Republicans, 12 House Ways and Means committee Democrats and six moderate Republicans.

"For some time, members of Congress have urged your administration to engage in broader and deeper consultations with members of the full range of committees of Congress whose jurisdiction touches on the numerous issues being negotiated," says the first letter signed by Democrats. "Many have raised concerns relating to reports about the agreement's proposed content…Twentieth Century "Fast Track" is simply not appropriate for 21st Century agreements and must be replaced. The United States cannot afford another trade agreement that replicates the mistakes of the past. We can and must do better."

How could this affect the TPP negotiations? NYTimes thinks "getting both houses of Congress to agree to the final deal might be close to impossible without the fast-track authority." Impossible isn't always a nice word. In this case, it sounds pretty good.

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/council-canadians/2013/11/fallout-trans-pacific-partnership-leak-fast-track-oppositio

[cali]

1. Good, but how is 173 almost half of 435?

[truebluegreen]

8. +1

False confidence is the enemy and certainly there are enough millionaire/bought-and-paid-for senators to pass this if it gets that far.

[Oilwellian]

9. Could it get held up in a committee?

A lot of Bills die in committee. Would Fast Track go through committees first? Please say yes, Cali. LOL

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Stop the anti-American/anti-democratic Trojan Horse. Stop TPP.

[GentryDixon]

3. My sis & I are going to the Grand America Hotel

in Salt Lake on Tuesday to protest. This protest is sponsored by Moveon. I hope many will come out.

[cali]

4. bless, bless, bless you for doing that.

I wish I could rec you and your post.

[GentryDixon]

5. I will take pictures & post later. n/t

[cali]

6. thank you again. I look forward to your updates!

[WinkyDink]

7. AWESOME of you two!! Please keep us informed!

[Wilms]

10. ^

[colsohlibgal]

11. Any Democrat Being For This Is No Real Democrat

But our "democratic" president is for it.