Congress Buffeted by Overwhelming Opposition to "Fast Track," TPP

In the anxious days before they see an actual "fast track" bill, members of Congress are finding it hard to explain to constituents why they would vote for "fast track" authority and give up their Congressional responsibility over trade deals like the proposed TPP.

"Fast track," if approved, will be used first to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal being negotiated between the U.S. and nations like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. The leaders are struggling to cope with intense opposition from their constituents to "fast track" and TPP.

U.S. Reps. Norma Torres and Pete Aguilar, Democrats from California, came to a town hall meeting at Inland Empire, professing to about 100 community members that they are open-minded and do not want to prejudge "fast track" or TPP by taking a stand. But the constituents were not having that explanation. "We voted for you and we want you to stand with us on this," they demanded. "Don't sell us out to corporate interests."

Along with community members, represented at the town hall were CWA Locals 9400 and 9588 and other groups like Unite HERE, AFSCME, UFCW, Food & Water Watch, Citizens Trade, and Sierra Club.

The town hall focused on efforts by Big Business and others to use "fast track" to foist TPP on the unsuspecting public. Congressional approval of "fast track" for trade deals would expedite approval process for trade bills, starting with TPP. Members of Congress, in an up-or-down vote, essentially strip themselves of their rights to debate and amend the 1,200-plus page TPP bill. Members of Congress, including a majority of Democrats and dozens of Republicans, have been publicly declaring their opposition to "fast track" authority.

So far, TPP is being negotiated in such extreme secrecy that members of Congress don't know what's in it. The only thing they have to go on is what has happened to workers and the environment in trade deals over the past two decades. And the record is not good.

TPP will send more U.S. jobs overseas, raise prescription drug prices, and allow multinational corporations to challenge any U.S. law or regulation that affects "expected future profits" in a secret, overseas court. Unions, environmental, progressive and community groups and others have been participating in public discussions on the devastating effects of "fast track" and TPP on good jobs and our communities.

Aguilar and Torres left the town hall promising to come back to the community before making up their minds about "fast track."

Activists Tell Rep. David Price at Raleigh, NC News Conference to Reject "Fast Track," TPP

Today, in Raleigh, NC, about 20 activists representing CWA, National Organization for Women, Witness for Peace Southeast, Workers' Right Project at NC Justice Center, and Food & Water Watch turned out for a Solidarity Press Conference to call on U.S. Rep. David Price to oppose "fast track" legislation and stand up for good jobs and consumer rights. Participants marched from the press conference at Nash Square to Rep. Price's District office to deliver letters from constituents opposing "fast track" and TPP.

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Florida Activists Rally to Encourage Sen. Nelson to Vote No on "Fast Track" for TPP

In Florida, CWAers and coalition partner activists held a rally in front of Sen. Bill Nelson's District office. The activists provided more than 100 letters urging the senator to vote no on "fast track" for TPP.

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In California, Activists Tell Bera to Oppose "Fast Track," TPP

Last week, Faith Whitmore, District office director for Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA 7th District), met with a contingent of about 30 activists who came to remind the Congressman to support them in the fight against "fast track" and TPP.

Below: CWAers, the Citizens Trade Campaign, The Sierra Club, National Lawyers Guild, American Postal Workers Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Service Employees International Union, Democratic Party of Sacramento County, Democratic Veterans Club of Sacramento, retirees, and others joined the.

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...And, Later, Carried the Same Message to Rep. Matsui

They also marched to meet with Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA 6th District) in Sacramento.

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Colorado Activists Tell Rep. Polis to Oppose "Fast Track," TPP

Activists "drop in and hang out" at the Boulder office of Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO 2nd District). They read from the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights while they waited.

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San Antonio Teach-in on "Fast Track"

As many as 60 people turned out last week for a teach-in on what would happen to jobs and the environment if Congress approves "fast track" for TPP. Coalition activists are working to convince Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX 30th District), Joaquín Castro (D-TX 20th District) and Marc Veasey (D-TX 33rd District) to reject "fast track" for TPP.