Leading House Democrat Will Oppose TPP Fast Track

[rhett o rick]

Leading House Democrat Will Oppose TPP Fast Track

As legislation to fast-track congressional approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership gets ready to finally make its debut in Congress this week, a top Democratic member of the House announced he would oppose the bill.
Representative Chris Van Hollen, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, wrote in a letter to Representative Sandy Levin, the ranking member of the House Ways & Means Committee, that he would oppose fast-track authority, also known as Trade Promotion Authority or TPA. The letter was obtained by The Nation and its authenticity was confirmed by an aide to Van Hollen.

The next several days will be crucial for the fate of TPA. Many Democrats have so far remained neutral or muted on the ongoing talks, but as the legislation finally proceeds towards a vote, several leading and visible Democrats like Van Hollen will start to take positions. Activists were heartened that Van Hollen dropped an early marker in the fight. “This letter lists some good reasons why fast track is in trouble—including investor lawsuits, currency manipulation, and workers rights—but this will come down to the growing realization that fast track will make it easier to send American jobs overseas,” said Jason Stanford of the Coalition to Stop Fast Track.

Posted by George Zornick, April 14, 2015 at:
http://www.thenation.com/blog/204185/breaking-leading-house-democrat-will-oppose-tpp-fast-track

Contact your Congress-Critters as soon as possible.

[Cosmic Kitten]

1. K&R

[L0oniX]

2. This will only piss off Hillary and her 1% backers.

[Enthusiast]

3. There is absolutely no excuse for supporting Fast Track. No Democrats should vote for it.

Not on such a controversial piece of legislation.

[KoKo]

4. Thanks Rhett...

My influential Dem House Rep came out against "Fast Track" at a meeting last week. It's not that he opposes "Fast Track" though. He thinks the House can revise it to make it "better.". So the fight goes on even if the "FT" goes down....the thing is still there to be voted on Chapter by Chapter. The fight will go on...but, stopping "Fast Track" is the most important action we can take.

[rhett o rick]

5. Both of my Senators won't directly commit but seem to favor the TPP. They won't

comment on Fast Track the last time I asked.

[Phlem]

6. K&R!

Excellent news.

[corkhead]

7. I would like to know why the teabaggers aren't screaming bloody murder

given the nature of this assault on our sovereignty.

[djean111]

8. In this case, it is because they are stupid.

[rhett o rick]

9. I think they want the TPP but are looking for a way to get credit for themselves. nm

[Populist_Prole]

12. They're astroturf by formation

Notice through all their bleating about this and that since 2009, they give widest birth to corporate friendly policy. Their opposition to the bank bailouts were uninspired: You had to practically beat it out of them. Corporations come first: all the other issues come second for them to don silly clothing and brandish misspelled signs.

"Tea Party" isn't some populist "other" group. It's just another name for the hard-right wing of the republican party.

[BrotherIvan]

10. Because more than anything, they love to make money for their masters while

screwing the rest of us. The TPP is their favorite flavor of both.

[Populist_Prole]

13. Bingo

All the social reactionary-ness and faux patriotism/xonophobia gets them airtime, but when it comes to the plutocrats; they are faithful and humble servants.

[BrotherIvan]

15. The prison guard effect

They turn into starry-eyed sycophants in the presence of someone rich(er). They hope to join the ranks of the uber-wealthy by hook and by crook. But when they have to deal with the populi, they unleash the most virulent emnity possible. It all stems from self-hatred which is the only explanation needed to understand of the mind of the Republican voter.

[RiverLover]

11. Really great news!

Thanks rhett o rick!! (I just 'got' your name...cute )

[Populist_Prole]

14. Good news

The corporate wing of the democratic party's wall starts sprouting it's first cracks. Love it!

[Oilwellian]

17. Yeah, I noticed that as well

I wonder if Van Hollen in a primary with Donna Edwards has anything to do with his coming out against Fast Track. I remember when he went on tour championing the Cat Food Commission and supporting Chained CPI, so clearly he's a Third Way Democrat. This is very refreshing news indeed.

[wolfie001]

16. Good!

[rbnyc]

18. k&r/nt

[merrily]

19. I just emailed my rep, but he opposes fast track, anyway. I don't know what he thinks about the TPP

itself, though. I will also email my Senators as well (Warren and Markey). However, we need to go on social media, too, so others see the messages.

[sabrina 1]

20. Anyone who votes for this is not a Democrat and should leave the party imo. Enough with the kid

gloves when those who were trusted to represent the people BETRAY them.