They do this every time. And we capitulate. We're doing it again.

[Michigan-Arizona]

7. Received this reply today from McCain

June 22, 2015




Dear Mrs.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). I appreciate hearing your concerns on these important issues.

As you may know, the TPP is a proposed free trade agreement currently under negotiation between the United States and eleven Pacific nations including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. The Obama Administration had said that it wanted to conclude these negotiations by the end of 2013, but no agreement has been reached thus far, and negotiations remain ongoing.

I strongly support reducing barriers to trade, which I see as an opportunity for the American workforce. The global economy is here to stay, and we limit our potential by trying to wall ourselves off to foreign competition. In fact, competition makes us stronger; we can compete and win, as we always have, or we can be left behind. Lowering trade barriers play an essential role in creating more and better jobs, and higher wages. Free trade also helps to make goods more affordable for low and middle income consumers. For all of these reasons, I am a strong supporter of the TPP and am eager to see it concluded and ratified by the Congress.

The TPP would also be more than just a trade agreement. It is a strategic agreement between the United States and many countries in the Asia-Pacific region that are integral to the continuing security and prosperity of the United States. Concluding a high-quality TPP would send a strong signal that the United States remains a strong, committed player in Asia at a time when some of our partners have doubts, which are being exploited by other countries that are trying to challenge America's leadership in the region. I support the TPP for this reason as well.

I am aware that some people are concerned about President Obama's request for TPA, also known as fast-track authority, as a way to facilitate passage of the TPP. If a trade agreement is fast-tracked, Congress would have a certain period of time to consider the treaty and would not be allowed to add amendments before voting on it. However, by granting TPA to the President, the Congress can exercise influence on the President, set parameters for a trade negotiation, and establish objectives that must be met in a final agreement.

In order to address some of the issues surrounding TPA, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) S.995 was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Ron Wyden, and Representative Paul Ryan. This bipartisan, bicameral TPA legislation establishes specific guidelines for international trade negotiations to help the United States secure strong and beneficial trade agreements. It outlines congressional negotiating objectives that any administration must follow when entering into and conducting trade discussions with foreign countries. It also increases transparency by requiring that Congress have access to classified texts of all trade negotiations and provides full public access to the trade agreements before they are signed. Finally, the TPA-2015 creates a new system to suspend TPA procedures and hold the administration accountable if it fails to meet negotiating standards.

I have supported TPA in the past as a critical authority that enables the President to negotiate and conclude bilateral and multilateral agreements that reduce trade barriers, strengthen American workers, and make our economy more competitive and prosperous. Time after time, trade agreements have spurred unparalleled economic growth and provided long-term financial benefits to millions of Americans. This is why I plan to continue my support for TPA and other trade measures.

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this issue. Please do not hesitate to do so in the future regarding this or any other matter of concern.



Sincerely,

John McCain
United States Senator

JM/mc