“There is room to debate. It may be limited, but it’s there.
What isn’t there is the ability to filibuster the thing. Thats the real problem area.”
I’m totally confused about this whole issue and I don’t know who to believe anymore. Cruz and Walker, the only two of the current field I would consider supporting, are both in favor of TPA. But then I heard Sen Sessions on Rush yesterday advocating against it.
What I’m confused about is which deal (TPA or TPP) sets up this dangerous new Pacific council and all that? I assume that’s TPP. If so, and if once TPP is read for 60 days and it’s determined that it’s horrible, can’t Congress vote it down on a majority vote?
I realize we have a lot of traitors in the GOP, so even if the answer to my question is yes, it’s still not very comforting. But at least we would still have an opportunity to lobby Congress to vote down TPP once it is revealed. Is that true or am I missing something?
No fast tracked trade agreement has ever been turned down by congress. A vote for the TPA is a vote for the TPP. It is like the cloture vote in the Senate. It cuts off amendments and cuts off debate.
Anyone voting for TPA is casting a yes vote for the top secret TPP. That includes Ted Cruz who has already voted for it. If he later votes against TPP, then he is a hypocrite of the first order.
TPP is the actual trade bill.
TPA/Fast Track is the process by which it will be enacted into law. Elements of the process include public dissemination of the bill ahead of time, debate (with time limits), no ability to submit amendments and a straight majority, no filibuster, up/down vote by both houses to pass.
Most TPA/Fast Track provisions are good things that streamline the process and generally result in a better, more solid, agreement. The big flaw is getting rid of the filibuster.
Which is the issue many of us have with Cruz’s vote and exanation.