Posted on 05/10/2017 5:05:23 PM PDT by jazusamo
Two Republican senators announced Wednesday that they will oppose Robert Lighthizer, President Trump’s nominee for United States Trade Representative, ahead of his likely confirmation this week.
Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Ben Sasse (Neb.) told Lighthizer in a letter released Wednesday that they’d vote against him because “your confirmation process has failed to reassure us that you understand the North American Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) positive economic benefits to our respective States and the nation as a whole.”
“We fear that you do not have an appreciation for the millions of jobs created by this free trade deal, and that you would not champion agriculture during your time as USTR,” wrote McCain and Sasse.
McCain and Sasse’s announcement comes a day before the Senate will take a procedural vote on Lighthizer’s nomination. Both President Trump and Lighthizer are staunch critics of NAFTA, and Trump reportedly considered pulling the U.S. out of the deal with Canada and Mexico.
The senators said they wouldn't consider supporting Lighthizer until the administration releases details plans and timelines on how they'd approach renegotiating NAFTA and other trade agreements.
“Beyond your vocal advocacy for protectionist shifts in our trade policies, the Administration’s ongoing, incoherent, and inconsistent trade message has compounded our concern,” wrote McCain and Sasse.
Trump pledged to reopen NAFTA for changes, and Lighhizer’s confirmation as the administration’s chief trade negotiator is critical for that process. McCain and Sasse both sides Trump’s plans to renegotiate NAFTA in their opposition.
“Granting the Trump Administration additional legal powers through your confirmation without understanding how you or the Administration intend to use those powers would be irresponsible.”
Lighthizer is likely to be confirmed with enough bipartisan support to compensate for McCain and Sasse’s opposition. A confirmation vote could come as early as Friday.
These two RINOs DESPISE Trump.....actually they despise ANYONE who is making PROGRESS!!!
Will McCain jump like Jeffers did in 2001? McCain has six years before his next election and will be quite old by then. McCain is really a low life.
Look for the 4 or 5 pubs Senators to take turns opposing Trump on everything since Comey has been fired. MCcain, Graham, Collins, Sasse, and even McConnell.
IIRC, BOTH Canada and Mexico are willing to renegotiate NAFTA.
Why would he jump? He can do more harm as a Republican than a Dem.
Trump is flushing out the establishment Uniparty and the cheap labor express...
McCain is a disgraceful establishment RINO.
You forgot FLAKE, the FLAKE!!
I couldn't agree more!
Juan can’t go away soon enough.
Boy. mccain is really turning into a senile old prick isn’t he?
I'm psychic...
Call me now...
Amazing that someone hasn’t got some dirt that would shut him up. AZ failed, now its up to nature or blackmail.
Like these two numbskulls even understand what it means to be responsible.
Amen and Amen!
The governor of Arizona is a Republican.
There really isn’t any good reason to keep McCain around anymore.
He needs to go.
Sasse has been a MAJOR disappointment to me.
The usual suspects. AKA the RINO establishment types.
I think if Arizona wanted to they could ‘recall’ McCain...IF THEY WANTED TO!!! HINT, HINT!!!
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