Why Ted Cruz is Right on TPA

Reclaim DC ^ | May 22, 2015 | David Serenda

[SoConPubbie]

It has been said that politics makes strange bedfellows. Well, there is no finer example of that statement than the recent votes on the Trade Promotion Authority. Free trade has long been advanced by conservatives who understand the need to expand our markets beyond our borders. On the other side stands the democrats and the radical left who fear competition and doubt America’s exceptionalism. Yesterday, the Senate cleared the 60 vote hurdle to bring the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) up for a vote. I for one, welcome President Obama to the side of common sense solutions, to help solve the economic disaster that his domestic policies have created. I only wish that he would use that common sense more often.

 

If you have listened to Ted Cruz speak on the economy, you will hear him promote the idea of free trade. One of the many reasons I support Ted Cruz for President is his common sense solutions to solve America’s economic problems. America has experienced a trade deficit for as long as I can remember. A large part of that stems from poorly negotiated trade deals in the past, high tariffs being placed on American products by foreign governments, and currency manipulation. The TPA is a step in the right direction to resolve many of the trade imbalance issues and will provide a set of strict guidelines for negotiations.

 

What exactly is TPA or fast track? I am glad you’ve asked. Trade Promotion Authority, TPA, and Fast Track all refer to the same piece of legislation. First, it is important to note that TPA is not a trade agreement in and of itself, but rather Congress establishing a set of requirements that the President must follow in every trade deal he submits through the TPA “fast track” legislation. By Congress authorizing this legislation they are able to have a part in the terms of the negotiations that take place with foreign governments. In addition to controlling the outline of any trade deal, they are able to force the President to share with them the details of any trade deals as he is negotiating. There are many opportunities for Congress to read and be involved in these negotiations if they really had a desire. There is also a requirement for public summaries to be released throughout the process of the negotiations. Once the trade agreement is completed it must be made available to the public before Congress is able to vote on it.

 

Without the TPA the President is able to negotiate any trade deal without any input from Congress or the American people. Even more alarming the President has the authority to conduct these negotiations in secret and only make them public when he submits them to Congress for approval. Once in Congress the process of buying votes and adding poison pills to the legislation corrupts the entire process. If we know anything about Washington, it is that its corruption runs deeper than the oceans. For these reasons previous Congress, both democratic and republican, have authorized “fast track” legislation.

 

As with anything in politics there are groups who, in an effort to promote their ideology of isolationism, will put out misinformation in order to derail legislation that they oppose. As with anything you read or hear about legislation coming out of Washington, familiarize yourself with not only the facts of the legislation, but any potential bias or agenda the author may be hiding.

 

[astroaddict]

There is no justification, period, for enabling the Obama Regime on anything.

This doesn't enable Obama to do anything he couldn't do before. Please stop repeating lies.

[astroaddict]

How would this guy know? The trade bill is SECRET.

If it,was such a good deal for us, there would be no need for it to be secret.



There is not SECRET trade deal BECAUSE of TPA. Try educating yourself on this issue and stop being a clueless sap for the AFL-CIO. You are proudly repeating lies right now.

[skeeter]

I want to know what specific deficiency this bill is supposed to correct.

[skeeter]

Welcome to FR

[Timber Rattler]

I don't know either. The only thing I can think of is that Cruz has made some kind of deal with his donors to back McConnell and Obama on this thing in exchange for their continuing financial support for his campaign.

I asked him that question on his Facebook page, and a couple of his staff members responded (sadly) with the usual GOP-E talking points about how TPA would give Congress the "authority" to accept or reject anything Obama negotiates, which we all know is bunk.

Needless to say, I was deeply disappointed by Cruz and his social media handlers on this one.

[Gaffer]

Tell me the details now, then.

[Gaffer]

Tell me the details now, then.

[SoConPubbie]

I asked him that question on his Facebook page, and a couple of his staff members responded (sadly) with the usual GOP-E talking points about how TPA would give Congress the "authority" to accept or reject anything Obama negotiates, which we all know is bunk.

If the Senate is supposed to vote on any trade treaty negotiated by the President, how is this bunk?

[Jane Long]

From your posted link...

...Wednesday, Sessions took on arguments for the trade deal with a series of what he office says are “myths” versus “truths” about the trade deal under consideration in Congress.

...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 accompanied by implementing legislation which necessarily supersedes existing law. Proponents of fast-track are relying on semantics: the trade agreement itself will not supersede existing law, but the “fast-tracked” legislation implementing the trade agreement will. What’s more, the Trans-Pacific Partnership—which would be fast-tracked by TPA—will give jurisdiction to international tribunals to settle disputes between parties to the agreement.

---

Let that last sentence sink in a bit.

Thank God for Sen Sessions....he does a lot of “myth-busting” about this trade agreement, in that piece. Everyone should read the linked article.

[Gaffer]

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/07/only-two-republicans-admit-they-actually-read-secret-obama-trade-deal-both-unsupportive/

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

There is not SECRET trade deal BECAUSE of TPA. Try educating yourself on this issue and stop being a clueless sap for the AFL-CIO. You are proudly repeating lies right now.

So when can we see it?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Instead of having anyone and everyone telling us how good this is, make it public.

It is the Secrecy.

Given Obama’s track record, I have issues with anyone voting for this legislation clouded in secrecy and saying ‘trust me.’

God only knows the deals made to ensure passage.

[Jane Long]

From the above Breitbart link referenced in post #51

....Myth: Congress will have more control over the trade process under fast-track.

Truth: If Congress gives the Executive six-year fast-track authority, the Senate will cede its ability to amend any future legislation implementing any yet-unseen global trade and regulatory pact; cede its ability to control debate over that pact; and cede its ability to subject that pact to the 67-vote threshold required for treaties, as well as the 60-vote threshold required for important legislation. Proponents of fast-track suggest the negotiating objectives somehow bind the Administration; this is false. The negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership are nearly complete and have been ongoing for years, long before any negotiating objectives will have been suggested. Moreover, the negotiating objectives are vague and lack any meaningful enforcement mechanisms—particularly enforcement from Senators and Representatives not on the revenue committees. Congress will be giving up the only leverage it has: the ability to amend legislation or to refuse to cut-off debate. No fast-tracked deal has ever been defeated, regardless of whether fast-track “objectives” have been ignored, overlooked, or violated by the Executive.

Myth: Congress is ceding no institutional powers under fast-track.

Truth: By eliminating its own powers of review and amendment, Congress would dramatically shift the carefully calibrated balance of power between Congress and the President. Fast-track would ensure that the President has complete discretion over the drafting of international agreements Congress has never even seen.

[Gaffer]

I’m still waiting...so far all I hear are crickets.

[astroaddict]

Supreme Court has no problem with majority in both houses on Free Trade Agreements and have said as much that they don’t fall under the Treaties Clause.

[astroaddict]

The deal has not been negotiated yet, when it has, the details will be out long before both houses have to vote. I’m not sure what’s complicated about this.

TPA and TPP are two different things.

[astroaddict]

You are repeating something TWENTY DAYS OLD. The TPA that Cruz voted for erases the secrecy. Stop. Listen. You’ll learn something.

[astroaddict]

Yea, we’ve only tripled our exports (inflation adjusted) to Canada and Mexico since it was passed.

That’s all.

[Gaffer]

Cruz offered an amendment IIRC. Even if adopted what in the still secret (viewed by appointment only) bill will be forestalled?

Who’s spreading disinformation here?

http://truthinmedia.com/ted-cruzs-tpa-amendment-wont-stop-obamatrades-backdoor-amnesty/

[EternalVigilance]

The TPA that Cruz voted for erases the secrecy.

Oh? Can you give us a link to the full contents of the legislation, then, please?