Rep. Huizenga | Why I Support TPA

Huizenga for Congress ^ | June 15, 2015 | Bill Huizenga

[CreviceTool]

A lot of misinformation is being spread about Trade Promotion Authority or TPA that is currently being debated in Congress.

First and foremost I want to tell you why I support TPA and why I think it's an important step forward for not only West Michigan but the entire country.

The Constitution lays out specific roles for both the President as well as Congress in terms of trade. The President's role is to negotiate with foreign counties on behalf of the United States, while the role of Congress is to review any potential trade agreement and then vote to either approve or disapprove the trade deal.

TPA allows Congress to define what the President can negotiate. In fact, TPA puts in place 150 objectives for the President to meet. Additionally, TPA requires the Obama Administration to provide updates to Congress of the ongoing negotiations. Should an agreement be reached, TPA also requires the text of any trade agreement be made public for 60 days. (It's important to note that none of these transparency checks are available without TPA.)

[CreviceTool]

I make NO judgment - just passing this along for review and comment. Here is the rest of the Representative's email message:

After the two month comment period, Congress - not the President - has the final say on any prospective trade agreement by holding a straight up or down vote. If the President fails to deliver a good deal, Congress can vote down the proposal.

Another important fact is that TPA is not a new invention. TPA has been utilized by Congress for nearly 80 years and is a concept I have supported in the past.

So if TPA passes Congress, what's next? The current trade proposal being negotiated is known as the Transpacific Partnership or TPP. This potential agreement would strengthen commerce between the United States and our Pacific trading partners including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The end goal of TPP would be to create a larger free market where more made in Michigan products can be sold overseas by reducing & eliminating tariffs and other market distorting practices. West Michigan has the opportunity to experience even greater economic expansion and with it the creation of good-paying jobs with TPP. Passing TPA is the first step in making this possibility a reality.

TPP also has the potential to place an important check on China and prevent the Chinese from setting the economic rules across the Pacific. Contrary to what you may have heard, China is NOT a part of the TPP negotiation and cannot join the agreement without consent of Congress, which it will not get.

For more information on the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation and the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) that is still being negotiated click here.

Thank you for taking the time to cut through the noise. I will continue to support and fight for the free market principles that have made America prosper.

Sincerely,

-Bill

[cripplecreek]

I see Mike Bishop is also supporting it.



Michigan legislative action thread

[Parmy]

But, no of you have read it, but you are going to vote for it.

I received much the same message from Dan Newhouse. Hasn't read it. Going to vote for it anyway because his handler tell him to.

[Qiviut]

“The Constitution lays out specific roles for both the President as well as Congress in terms of trade.”

**********************************

The BIG problem is that THIS president ignores and tramples on the Constitution day in and day out. There is absolutely NO reason whatsoever to think he would not abuse his authority if given TPA and that he is negotiating true free trade that will benefit America in the TPP (from leaks, he’s putting in “agenda” items as well). If he gets TPA and then Congress votes on TPP, as weak-kneed and subservient to Obama’s will as they have been, I also do not trust them to do what is in the best interests of the American people. IMO, of course.

[Sacajaweau]

Still trying to figure out why Obamacare is in the TPA.

But my first thought is....if Obama wants it....I don't want it.

[Jane Long]

if Obama wants it....I don’t want it.

---

Agree. If it’s so great...let’s wait...another 18 months. Look how they rushed through 0bamaCare...and what that got us :(

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping; post. Very interesting.

[Theoria]

'Contrary to what you may have heard, China is NOT a part of the TPP negotiation and cannot join the agreement without consent of Congress, which it will not get. '

Why would they not include China into the deal later? So they really mean that trade with China is bad now?

Obama has already said China might come in later.

[TexasCajun]

TPA is the authority to fast-tract Obamacare size, secret Presidential trade agreements that must be voted on with no amendments and minimum public review.

I can just hear those Republicans that support TPA.

"Hey, I didn't vote for TPP. ..don't blame me."

All the while it was they that approved the vehicle to pass such trade agreements.

[SharpRightTurn]

Well, Bill—it looks like the whole point of the TPA is to provide for an up or down (no amendments) vote on the secret, “living”, still being negotiated TPP. I have not heard any good reason why this trade turkey cannot be put on hold for a year and a half until a new president, whom I hope will be more trustworthy than Obummer, will be inaugurated. Can you, Bill?

[ComputerGuy]

...TPA also requires the text of any trade agreement be made public for 60 days...

Then howzabout publishing the full text of the TPA package before you clowns vote on it.

[kabar]

So TPA actually limits the President's authority? Why is Obama for it?

How many votes can defeat a trade agreement? Does Huizenga support TAA?

[paratrooper82]

Hey dummy! There would not be any misinformation out to the public if the legislation was posted on-line for every American to read it!

Problem solved. Instead, we are supposed to listen to a bunch of RINO’s tell the American people what is so good about Congressional Legislation these idiots won't let anyone read before they vote for it and then complain abut all the misinformation being put out about the legislation!

You just can't make up this crap!

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’m not for anything that helps BHO continue his destruction of our country. I’m also not for lowering the threshold vote to 51. Its sucicide.

[setha]

Nothing prevents TPP from being disclosed in draft form aside from fear. It’s not a DoD secret, but a trade treaty that the public has a right to know before it is finalized.

As for the finalized form’s comment period, it is perfunctory in nature. Not only does it not affect the text, the lowered threshold disincentivizes opposition.

[rrrod]

Make it short...NO! Obama cannot be trusted with this power!

[TomasUSMC]

Bill.....says China will not be allowed in to this trade agreement......really? They already have billions of dollars of trade with us now. In fact....Clinton gave Communist China most-favored-nation (MFN) trade status.

Lets ask Bill if he thinks NAFTA was good for Michigan and America.