CWA: One-Third of Congress Demands Transparency and Accountability in TPP Negotiations

[limpyhobbler]

Jun 27, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Today, 132 Members of Congress delivered a letter to United States Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk pressing him to support transparency and openness in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The Members called for stronger congressional consultations and access to documents, and greater public transparency on the proposals.
...

In their letter to Ambassador Kirk, Congressional leaders noted that “under the current U.S. trade advisory system, hundreds of business representatives have cleared access to both USTR negotiators and the negotiating text. However, American small business, civil society, and other interests who have a direct and long-term interest in the outcome of these negotiations have little meaningful input…If Congress and the public are not informed of the exact terms of the agreement until the conclusion of the process, then any opportunity for meaningful input is lost. A trade agreement that cannot stand up to public scrutiny should not be negotiated in the name of U.S. citizens.” The letter signing was organized by House Democratic Leaders Rosa DeLauro (CT) and George Miller (CA),

This lack of transparency, accountability and public access has already raised serious concerns from labor, environmental groups and consumer organizations.

"The 1% has total access to all negotiating documents, while the 99% is shut out. This is not what democracy looks like," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "The 1% will lower labor standards and eliminate environmental safeguards, further chaining our economy to that of Vietnam which has one of the worst labor rights records in the world. It's important to negotiate a trade agreement that protects U.S. workers and our environment."
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complete piece: http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/one-third_of_congress_demands_transparency_and_accountability_in_tpp_negoti/

[AnotherMcIntosh]

1. Amazing. How bad can it be if the lobbyists won't even allow their Congress members see it?

[limpyhobbler]

3. I'm sure it contains unspeakable horrors we can hardly imagine.

That's what it means when there is so much secrecy.

Hopefully President Obama just needs a little encouragement to come around on this issue.

[msongs]

4. maybe Mr. Obama can share his copy....transparency and all nt

[hay rick]

2. Two-thirds did not sign the letter...

The deference of the majority of Congress to corporate interests isn't just repulsive, it's embarrassing.

[limpyhobbler]

5. Well more than half are GOPigs, so we expect them to be bought.

There shouldn't be any Dems against transparency I would hope. It's good to know there are still a lot of good reps in Congress. Sadly not enough.

Fuzzy math aside (132 is not quite a third of the House) it's good to see many good members of Congress taking action on this issue.

[hay rick]

6. Notably absent:

Pelosi, Hoyer, Wasserman Schultz- the entire "leadership" of the Democratic Party. Guess Barack didn't do a lot of arm-twisting...

[limpyhobbler]

7. Um...is it too late get Dick Gephardt back?

He would have led the fight on this I bet.