Say No to TPP Fast Track: A Fight We Can Win

Some members of Congress are trying to put the brakes on the TPP.

In a series of letters to the White House, at least 194 members of Congress have publicly expressed their concerns about the secretive trade deal, bringing plans for a speedy ratification to a screeching halt.

Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and George Miller (D-Calif.) have the led the effort to spotlight the lack of congressional input during the TPP negotiating process and to take a stand against “fast track,” also known as Trade Promotion Authority.

“Twentieth Century ‘Fast Track’ is simply not appropriate for 21st Century agreements and must be replaced,” said their letter, which was signed by 151 House Democrats. “The United States cannot afford another trade agreement that replicates the mistakes of the past. We can and must do better.”

Democrats aren’t alone. Twenty-seven House Republicans also offered their own objections to “fast track.” And a number of companion letters authored by individual members of Congress are helping to build momentum against this massive trade deal.

“Our 20 years of experience in trade deals, going back to North American Free Trade Agreement, has proven that we lose far more jobs than we gain, and that our pay and benefits are pushed down with global competition as the excuse,” said CWA President Larry Cohen. “That’s not the future we want for ourselves or our children. We must pursue economic and trade policies that are best for American workers – not multinational corporations.”

The loud opposition of these 194 lawmakers is only the beginning. We’re adding our voices to this fight to say, “Down with fast track!” Together, we’ll pry open these closed-door negotiating sessions and actually have a say in the future of our country.

This is a fight we can win.