I should say that for the first time a negative article about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has appeared in a major publication, as far as I can tell. The TPP is a major agreement that in the words of United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk “will create binding policies on future Congresses in
numerous areas,” including “those related to labor, patent and
copyright, land use, food, agriculture and product standards, natural
resources, the environment, professional licensing, state-owned
enterprises and government procurement policies, as well as financial,
healthcare, energy, telecommunications and other service sector
regulations.” Yet, the Obama administration has been keeping it secret.
It has yet to allow Congress to attend negotiations as
observers, which is common with such an agreement, or to see the text of the draft
agreement. The Administration wants the agreement to be given fast-track treatment
on Capitol Hill. Under this extraordinary and rarely used procedure, Obama
could sign the agreement before Congress voted on it. And Congress’s
post-facto vote would be under rules limiting debate, banning all
amendments and forcing a quick vote.
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