News
Congress Can’t Let TPP Happen
Supporters of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are likely to put up a huge fight in an effort to pass the 12-nation Pacific Rim agreement during the closing days of the congressional session. Why? Because they realize that with two anti-TPP nominees at the top of both major party tickets, it is likely their best chance to get this deal done.
Congress can’t let this happen. A growing bipartisan coalition of lawmakers opposes the agreement, including recent converts vice presidential nominee and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) as well as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
That’s an encouraging sign. But victory is far from a given.
In an age when corporate influence in public policy is on the rise, the TPP represents the next level. The proposed pact includes 40 percent of the global economy and represents a huge opportunity for big business to grow its profits even more. Never mind concerns over corporate greed, lost jobs, the environment or unsafe food or products—those are inconsequential for CEOs looking to bolster their bottom lines.
Under the TPP, American taxpayers could be forced to pay foreign corporations compensation for any U.S. law or safety provision they don’t like. International businesses can sue for not only current losses but projected future profits, and there is no limit on the amount they could skim from American taxpayers.
Why would Congress approve a deal that is a giveaway for foreign interests and would penalize American taxpayers? Because big business wants it badly, and will pull out all the tricks to get it passed.
Corporations know if they can bring TPP to a vote during a lame-duck legislative session at the end of this year, they will be dealing with a significant amount of lawmakers who will no longer be accountable to voters because they are leaving Capitol Hill.
Want to stop this from happening? Let your members of Congress know you oppose TPP. Tell them to put the people above the powerful by not allowing this trade pact to come to a vote.