General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Heads Up!! "Obama Ready to Defy Base in Order to Advance Trans-Pacific Partnership" [View all]OrwellwasRight
(5,312 posts)The Reciprocal Tariff Act of 1934 is no longer in effect. It did give the President Authority to negotiate tariffs on behalf of Congress, which makes perfect sense.
Modern day "Fast Track" makes no such sense. The most recent "Fast Track Authority," enacted in 2002, and expired in 2007 authorizes to president to negotiate anything -- not just tariffs. This kind of authority did not exist until the Trade Act of 1974.
Read about the latest Fast Track bill (the one introduced by Baucus, Hatch, and Camp) here: http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/Fast-Track-Legislation/Fast-Facts-on-Fast-Track
It is 0% like the Reciprocal Tariff Act of 1934.
Moreover, get your facts straight. A "free and open discussion" of a bill that Congress cannot amend, and must vote on within 90 days, is neither free NOR open. Tell me one other bill (appropriations, tax, healthcare, minimum wage, environmental, banking, spying, war, ANYTHING) that cannot be amended, killed in committee, filibustered, or otherwise delayed. The answer is zero.