The Senate has passed the dangerous Fast Track bill for the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal—which means it's now up to the House of Representatives to stop this job-killing corporate giveaway.
Fortunately, we have a chance to stop this legislation. A vast majority of House Democrats and a significant number of Republicans have committed to rejecting Fast Track.1 The fate of this bill could come down to a handful of votes.
Can you pick up the phone, call Representative Gregory Meeks, and ask where he stands? When you call, say something like this: "Will you please reject Fast Track for the TPP—and side with the interests of regular Americans over corporate interests?"
If he is committed to saying no to Fast Track, thank and applaud him. If he is already planning to say yes, demand to know why. And if he isn't sure, let him know he has the chance to do the right thing—by committing to reject this job-killing legislation.
Here's where to call:
Representative Gregory Meeks
Phone: (202) 225-3461
That's why we're joining together with partners representing more than 15 million Americans in a national day of action to stop Fast Track for the TPP. As part of a diverse coalition of dozens of organizations, we'll be working with Democracy for America, CREDO, Daily Kos, SumOfUs, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Fight for the Future, and others to make calls to Congress today.
If the House approves Fast Track, it would allow the secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal to be rushed through Congress, without amendments or sufficient debate.2
Given that the TPP is being negotiated behind closed doors—with the input of hundreds of corporate representatives, but shielded from the American public—we should make sure all details of this massive deal, and others like it, are given close scrutiny before rushing Congress to vote.3
It's frightening enough that we've already learned TPP contains provisions that would allow multinational corporations to challenge America's laws protecting consumers, workers, and the environment—and that these cases would be decided by unelected international tribunals of corporate lawyers.4
But just as scary: the next president and Congress could use this Fast Track authority to undermine Dodd-Frank financial regulations.5
Literally thousands of organizations—representing the labor, environmental, family farm, civil rights, digital rights, human rights, public health, consumer, faith, student, and other movements—have united to say NO to Fast Track.
The House doesn't yet have enough votes to pass Fast Track. And if the House doesn't pass Fast Track, we win.
Can you call Rep. Meeks now?
Representative Gregory Meeks
Phone: (202) 225-3461
Fast Track proponents want to move quickly. That's why we have to act just as fast. Let's make sure every member of Congress—whether for Fast Track, against it, or undecided—hears the national outcry today.
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin K., Milan, Stephen, Maria, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "The dozen Dems who'll decide Obama's trade deal," Politico, May 28, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304629&id=118639-10220574-yusJGsx&t=3
2. "ANALYSIS: Hatch Bill Would Revive Controversial 2002 Fast Track Mechanism that Faces Broad Congressional, Public Opposition," Public Citizen, April 16, 2015
http://citizen.org/fast-track-2015
3. "Full speed ahead on secretive trade deal," Al Jazeera America, December 17, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304634&id=118639-10220574-yusJGsx&t=4
4. "The Trans-Pacific Partnership clause everyone should oppose," The Washington Post, February 25, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304635&id=118639-10220574-yusJGsx&t=5
5. "Why Obama Is Wrong and Warren Is Right on Trade Bill Quarrel," Bloomberg Politics, May 15, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304469&id=118639-10220574-yusJGsx&t=6
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