Sen. Cruz: Trade Promotion Authority Creates a Path for Prosperity

Cruz.Senate.Gov ^ | 22 May 2015 | Ted Cruz

[Theoria]

We must engage the global economy to ignite growth and opportunity at home

May 22, 2015 | 202-228-7561

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), today released the following statement regarding legislation to establish trade promotion authority:

"The American middle class is getting crushed by the Obama economy," said Sen. Cruz. "Middle class incomes are stagnating, and the labor force participation rate has not been this low since the Carter Administration. While I have serious concerns about the all-too-typical Washington backroom deals that enabled this bill to get to the floor, I could not in good conscience vote against a bill whose most significant impacts will be jobs, growth, and opportunity for struggling American families.

"By passing Trade Promotion Authority, we create a path for trade agreements to reduce government-created barriers to prosperity. More economic growth will expand opportunity to those working to climb the economic ladder and achieve the American Dream.

"This bill increases the transparency of trade deals considered under its rules. It requires the public posting of the full text of any such agreement for at least 60 days before Congress begins consideration and reaffirms that Congress gets the final say. It would enable both this President and the next to expand trade that benefits American workers.

"This legislation ensures the United States will not be stuck on the sidelines as China aggressively pushes the 19 trade agreements it currently has under construction. It sends a message to the world that the United States will play an active role in writing the rules that will govern international trade this century. The cost to peace and prosperity of doing otherwise is too great to let this opportunity pass."

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[Artcore]

The sad thing is it’s not because the Democrat policy is popular...... It’s because the Republicans are a fake opposition party.

At this time Conservatives, even though our ideas are in the majority (based on last election results), have no real party in Washington.
_____________________________

I agree.

[arthurus]

All of that Constitutional knowledge and determination is lying around Ted’s feet in a mess on the floor. He may be every bit the scholar but his judgment is seriously flawed. Giving any such authority to this president is like approving of the secret Iran deal. Oh. he approved that, too. CRUZ IS A DAMNNABLE GOPE! And you know that what happened to all our bright clean pure conservatives we elected to Congress in two elections will probably happen to whoever we elect to the Presidency. I do not share Mark Levin’s optimism that we can turn this train wreck around by electing a solid conservative. There is no such thing any more after an election. The impossibility of turning the trainwreck around is right there. The train is already wrecked.

[navet97]

“public makes me think that all politicians are truly alike”

You are correct! It’s one big club looking out for themselves!

[Artcore]

I honestly believe we’re past the point where elections matter. Our culture is in moral decay...and getting worse every day. I believe we are entering God’s judgment on our nation.

I never thought we’d die from the inside.

[Vindication]

As I stated in #24 it’s the way this was done - the secrecy, timing - it smells - it stinks to high heaven. Never mind that O’Vomit’s all for it.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not panicking and scratching Ted off the top of my very short list, it’s just that I am awaiting further explanation.

[BlackAdderess]

The Orwellian title “Trade Promotion Authority”, better known as Fast Track, is an end run around a way of doing public business which, unlike the afore mentioned Fast Track, has not failed us.

[Theoria]

I have always said, the GOP only ‘acts’ conservative when they are in the minority. Well, they will be in the minority forever if they keep up what they are doing.

[DoughtyOne]

We started massive trade with China around 1992, and ramped it up to the point of pure insanity.

Now look at our nation with tens of millions out of work, and China building it’s infrastructure off the trade that really didn’t mean anything to our economy.

Now after the traders got their 30 pieces of silver for betraying America and the results are in, Ted wants even more of it.

Good God Ted, where were you when the traders promised prosperity for everyone during the last go-round of this s-it?

Is 45 million people of work not enought out of work?

Just pure insanity.

1 + 1 = 4213 (morons)

[Praxeologue]

in 1993 the US had a trade surplus with Mexico of $1.6 billion. IN 2014 we ran a $60 billion deficit. 20 years of NAFTA.

Isn't this because of the maquiladoras? ... in which case it is not a valid comparison.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Sorry Cruz...I rather see it with my own eyes than rely on the word or interpretation of anyone else.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Anyone know offhand, whether Donald Trump has weighed in on this?

Thanks.

[alstewartfan]

Vet, why worry about going through this again when there is no need to resurrect a piece of crap like this? Worry about our OWN oppressive taxes and regulations, and let the other nations wither on the vine if that is their choice? I think that Ted REALLY hurt himself with this vote. Bob

[SoConPubbie]

Don’t get me wrong, I am not panicking and scratching Ted off the top of my very short list, it’s just that I am awaiting further explanation.

I hear you.

Those items give me indigestion as well, however, I trust Ted not to do something that is either unconstitutional in nature or ultimately harmful to the citizens of the U.S.

His fidelity to conservatism gives me reason to trust him and wait until the full story is out there.

[PGalt]

OUT-OF-CONTROL executive branch and a complicit CONgre$$. What’s in the bill CONman?

“He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:”

/Declaration

[Unmarked Package]

JMHO....Senator Cruz has been spending too much time with those large donors.

Actually, there is ample evidence to the contrary in contrast to his predecessor in the U.S. Senate.

Lest anyone gets the idea that Ted Cruz will accommodate special interests benefiting big business on trade policy for reasons other than the public interest, consider this report:

Senator Ted Cruz opposes reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the USA, calling it "crony capitalism." That position has placed him in direct conflict with the strong desires of some large businesses in the No. 1 exporting state of Texas, many of which supported his run for the U.S. Senate and now complain that his conservative ideology trumps their requests for support.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2015/05/01/265304/cruzs-ideology-trumps-texas-interests.html

[usconservative]

Frankly, this is one bill Senator Cruz should of taken a pass on. To give this administration more executive power over trade agreements is not a good move.

If Cruz even read the bill, he'd do himself and the American Public to TELL US WHAT'S IN IT.

But he's not. Cruz is no longer on my list of candidates to vote for in the primaries. He won't make to the General Election making stupid decisions like this either.

[Leep]

It i were Cruz i would be shouting this down. On the mere fact, as all here have said, that its all being done in secret?

Why are you do this in secret, Mr Petulant , i mean Mr President?!

[Jagdgewehr]

I honestly believe we’re past the point where elections matter.

They don't. 2014 is all the proof anyone should need.

[CatherineofAragon]

All of the folks throwing tantrums and yelling, "I'm done with Cruz!" were, I suspect, just waiting for an opportunity for him to do something they didn't agree with. It's just so satisfying when we realize no politician is perfect, and we will never agree with anyone, much less an elected official, 100% of the time.

But it's a mistake to make emotional broad-brush generalizations and lump Cruz in with all other Republicans. It simply isn't the case, and you know it isn't.

He's always been an advocate of free trade and never tried to hide it. The leftwing media is trying to portray this as Cruz helping Obama out, but THAT IS THE WRONG TAKEAWAY. Here's Cruz in his own words:

"Before the vote, Cruz said he was backing the package because it had economic repercussions back home.

'In my home state of Texas, there are over 2.2 million jobs that depend on exports," Cruz said. "Trade benefits farmers, it benefits ranchers, it benefits manufacturers. When we open up new markets across the globe, it creates jobs and economic growth and opportunity here at home.'

But Cruz was also careful to thread the needle between being pro-business and still being a vocal critic of the Obama administration. When asked if he trusted Obama to negotiate a trade deal, Cruz said that he believed the administration could "do very little," yet he was comfortable enough that Congress would have a vote on any deal the president negotiated.

'The next 20 months are going to be very dangerous. The Obama administration has proven to be the most lawless and abusive in history, but one of the few areas where this administration has been willing to support positive economic policies is in the area of international trade,' Cruz said, before going on to criticize his Democratic colleagues for standing in the way of TPA. Cruz jokingly classified President Obama's disagreement with those in his party like Sen. Elizabeth Warren as "Democrat-on-Democrat violence."

Trade Deal Scrambles 2016 GOP Candidates Between Obama and Business

Cruz is still the best candidate we've had since Reagan. Let's stop reacting like a bunch of PMSing women (only I have that right, HA!) and understand that we can't mess this up.

[Enlightened1]

Donald Trump is against it.

Rand Paul voted against it too.