Posted on 06/23/2015 4:29:02 AM PDT by Leto
As a general matter, I agree (as did Ronald Reagan) that free trade is good for America; when we open up foreign markets, it helps American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. But TPA in this Congress has become enmeshed in corrupt Washington backroom deal-making, along with serious concerns that it would open up the potential for sweeping changes in our laws that trade agreements typically do not include. Since the Senate first voted on TPA, there have been two material changes. First, WikiLeaks subsequently revealed new troubling information regarding the Trade in Services Agreement, or TiSA, one of the trade deals being negotiated by Obama. Despite the administration’s public assurances that it was not negotiating on immigration, several chapters of the TiSA draft posted online explicitly contained potential changes in federal immigration law. TPA would cover TiSA, and therefore these changes would presumably be subject to be fast-track. When TPA last came up for a vote, both Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)80% and I introduced amendments that would have barred fast-track treatment for any trade agreement that attempted to impact immigration law. Two other Republican senators objected, and we were both denied votes on our amendments. Instead, the House inserted substantially weaker language in related legislation.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Cruz represents Texas. Coming out now against TPA will probably cost him some votes at home. Cornyn is on there now praising TPA. Don’t think Cruz’s enemies won’t use this against him back in Texas.
I have never once heard Cruz express anything but Distrust of Obama.
There are 2 candidates that the establishment are full-stop against, and that's Cruz and Walker. That makes me give them the bigger benefit of the doubt than some of the others, who I already know aren't nearly as conservative as they pretend to be as they campaign (I'm talking to YOU Gov. GoodHair) The trolls for the establishment, and their liberal fellow travellers will try thier best to destroy the utility of sites like FreeRepublic, because honest debate does not help their cause.
There has been way too much misinformation about this entire trade thing from both sides. All kinds of red herrings have been thrown around to confuse the issue.
For myself, I'm generally of the opinion that some type of "fast track" authority is necessary with treaty negotiations. You pretty much can't have the Senate amending an already negotiated treaty when they are voting on it, because then you'd have to go back to the other treaty partners and essentially renegotiate it again.
However, I absolutely disagree with the idea of calling these things "trade agreements" to get around the Constitutional requirement of a 2/3 majority vote for ratification. IMO, this should have been the hill that Cruz stood on with this. If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, it doesn't make any sense to call it a chicken. Call it a duck and require the 2/3 majority ote for ratification. That will make sure that you'll end up with a better treaty, because you know up front the hurdle it will be necessary to clear.
It is supposed to be difficult to pass a treaty. That's why the requirement is in the Constitution in the first place. Getting around the established law of the land for political expedience is dishonest at best.
I'm glad to see Cruz voted against it, but his reasoning isn't as pursuasive as one grounded in the Constitution would be. Saying "I'm Shocked! Shocked! to find backroom dealing going on around here" isn't what I expect from him.
I'm still in the Cruz and Walker camps. (either one will work for me, though I personally prefer Cruz) The alternatives are far worse.
The Conservative base won't be voting next year.
Or are you going to agree that Ted screwed up and that his current position on TPA is right.
Cruz represents Texas. Coming out now against TPA will probably cost him some votes at home. Cornyn is on there now praising TPA. Don’t think Cruz’s enemies won’t use this against him back in Texas.
I’m from Texas. I voted for Cruz 3 times already. The primary, the runoff and the general. I am no enemy, but I am disappointed. I thought Cruz was different.
Cruz was totally consistent on this whole thing, its these traitors in leadership that lied and did change the terms...Cruz explained himself the whole time and his NO vote was what I thought he’d do in the end as the sausage was made. Rubio really needs to get out of politics he sucks!!
CRUZ!!!!
Simple point, there was as much “back room dealing” a few weeks ago as there is now so why change vote now? Smells political to me.
Don’t get me wrong on this, any of the dopes who voted for this have effectively removed themselves from any vote I might give them during our primary. They just joined those who supported this POS bill but are not in the Congress. My field has gotten very small now. They are doing the easy work for me by eliminating themselves. Carson when he mentioned being negative 2A started the screening process. Some comments on immigration took out some and now this. Cruz has not excaped being in the penalty box, but he is close given he supported TPA till he was against it.
Since he isn't, you don't.
thank you, we were being held H-O-S-T-A-G-E.
It’s probably your browser. MS Explorer kept crashing on me. Google Chrome does not.
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No problems here using Safari.
It just that simple.
Cornyn is finished in Texas.
Period...
Now that TPA is apparently safely over the finish line, Cruz comes out against it. How convenient. This is Rubio & his gang all over again, FRiend.
EXACTLY!
It will be Cornyn and the other sell outs who are going to pay for giving Obama power.
It sure looks like Cruz got an earful from his constituency.
Is that suppose to mean something?
But he was still willing to give him unlimited trade power.
OK, Prior to this he was at a near perfect record. Now explain other than Jesus Christ, who in America do you suppose has a record to match Cruz, this botch included? His closest supposed competition, Walker, supported this and still does.
What exactly DO you expect from a fellow Human? Over 90% ain’t good enough? Or will this tank Cruz but then you’ll vote for someone far less conservative?
He screwed up. He changed course. Take it or leave it. Just remember, enough of us are out here that will vote for conservatives that a liberal —WILL NOT— win on the GOP ticket.
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