One of the Obama administration’s underrated virtues is its intellectual honesty. Yes, Republicans see deception and sinister ulterior motives everywhere, but they’re just projecting. The truth is that, in the policy areas I follow, this White House has been remarkably clear and straightforward about what it’s doing and why. [Reposted from The New York Times …
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Trade Deficits Surge under FTAs: U.S. Trade Deficits Grow More than 425% with FTA Countries, but Decline 11% with Non-FTA Countries The aggregate U.S. goods trade deficit with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners is more than five times as high as before the deals went into effect, while the aggregate trade deficit with non-FTA…
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CONCORD – Bernie Sanders says it’s time Hillary Clinton takes a stance on a controversial trade deal that’s dividing Democrats. [Reposted from The Washington Post | Paul Steinhauser | May 27, 2015] And the independent senator from Vermont, who’s running for the Democratic presidential nomination, told NH1 News Wednesday he’s not concerned about more competition…
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Proponents of “Trade Promotion Authority” aka “Trade Deficit Promotion Authority” have claimed that the 2015 bill has “tough, new” controls for Congress exerting control over the process. The claims are false. One simply has to read the bill, and read it in context. The analysis of the actual language of the 2015 Fast Track bill,…
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President Obama says progressives who warn that trade laws let corporations overrule U.S. law are “making this stuff up.” Two attacks on U.S. laws and regulations are underway right now, illustrating how the “corporate courts” provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would open our country up to attacks from foreign corporations. [Reposted from the Campaign…
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The Senate voted, last week, to pass Trade Promotion Authority (fast-track) bill 62 to 37. Here is a summary of all the votes. 48 Republicans and 14 Democrats voted for it. 32 Democrats and 5 Republicans voted against it. Here are the 14 Democrats: Michael Bennet (D-CO)Ben Cardin (D-MD)Maria Cantwell (D-WA)Tom Carper (D-DE)Chris Coons…
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Fast Track Would Reduce Congressional Power, Subject U.S. To Global Tribunals, And Pave Way For New Executive Actions [Reposted from the site of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) | May 20, 2105] Myth: Trade agreements implemented under fast-track will not supersede existing U.S. law. Truth: Every trade agreement negotiated by the President and foreign governments is…
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At today’s daily briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest communicated the president’s threat to veto any trade promotion authority (TPA) that “could undermine the independence or ability of the Federal Reserve to make monetary policy decisions”. (The question was posed at minute 42:50, Mr. Earnest’s answer starts at 43:31, and the lead up to this…
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Posted on May 22, 2015 For Immediate Release Contact: John Hansen 402-476-8815 Nebraska Farmers Union Brings Country Support for COOL to Washington, DC LINCOLN (May 22, 2015) – Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) sent two of their state leaders to Washington, DC…
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A decade in the making, the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is reaching its climax and as Congress hotly debates the biggest trade deal in a generation, its backers have turned on the cash spigot in the hopes of getting it passed. [Reposted from The Guardian | C Robert Gibson and Taylor Channing | May 27,…
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