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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Late Friday evening, May 22, 2015, the Senate voted to pass the Trade Promotion Authority (H.R. 1314) by a vote of 62 to 37 to give President Obama the authority to “fast-track” trade agreements through 2018, with an extension to 2021 possible. If this legislation also passes the House, this would mean that the Trans-Pacific…
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The Progressive Coalition for American Jobs will aid ads in 11 states. [Reposted from Politico | Edward Isaac-Dovere | May 26, 2015] President Barack Obama has promised to protect anyone who gets hammered in next year’s elections for supporting his trade agenda. The Progressive Coalition for American Jobs, which is being advised by Obama campaign…
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House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has pledged to members of the House Steel Caucus that he will accept the trade remedy law changes championed by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in the Senate version of the customs bill when the legislation is conferenced, according to a Ways &…
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WASHINGTON — A flurry of last-minute deal-making on the Senate floor Thursday rescued President Obama’s ambitious trade agenda from defeat, advancing legislation that would empower the president to complete a sweeping, 12-nation Pacific trade accord. [Reposted from The New York Times | Jonathan Weisman | May 21, 2015] The bill, the first to grant a…
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