Sen.Sanders Statement on Senate Vote on Job-Killing Trade Bill

[cal04]

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-senate-vote-on-job-killing-trade-bill


WASHINGTON, May 22 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement tonight after the Senate voted 62-37 for a bill that would grant President Barack Obama accelerated power to complete a massive trade accord with 11 other Pacific Rim nations:


“The Senate just put the interests of powerful multi-national corporations, drug companies and Wall Street ahead of the needs of American workers. If this disastrous trade agreement is approved, it will throw Americans out of work while companies continue moving operations and good-paying jobs to low-wage countries overseas.

“Bad trade deals like the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership are a major reason for the collapse of the American middle class and the increase in wealth and income inequality in the United States. This agreement, like bad trade deals before it, would force American workers to compete with desperate workers around the world – including workers in Vietnam where the minimum wage is 56-cents an hour.

“Trade agreements should not just work for corporate America, Wall Street and the pharmaceutical industry. They have got to benefit the working families of our country,” Sanders said.

[randys1]

1. Could President Bernie Sanders in 2017 do anything to reverse this after it goes thru?

[SusanCalvin]

2. God I hope so.

Unless there's some clause to lock us in, I don't see why not.

[marym625]

3. Not a done deal, yet

Hopefully, yet probably wishful thinking, the TPP will be voted down

[randys1]

5. Yes, but the structure of these things is what I am wondering about.

What can the next prez do about it, technically.

I can find out by searching for the answer, dont have time now.

But if the next prez DOES have some power there, that would be a great reason for people to vote for Bernie who might not otherwise

[marym625]

6. I don't believe they do

Not without congressional bill to change it.

But a very interesting question. I am going to research. If something can be done, then why didn't President Obama do something about NAFTA?

[jwirr]

9. Did the 6 year clause stay in the TPA? If it did then no it cannot be changed and our idiot

Senators already voted for this.

[RichVRichV]

15. I believe it would require congress.

Since congress will vote on this (up or down vote) it will be considered a congressional-executive agreement (treaty would require 2/3 vote). That means it would require another vote from congress (>50%, not 2/3.) to change or invalidate it. Normally that means we'd have to get 60 votes in senate to avoid filibuster, however with the TPA in force for 6 years it may require only 51 votes. I'm not sure on that. If Obama passed the TPP without congressional vote it would be considered a sole-executive agreement and any future president could invalidate it without congress. The deal being done with Iran is an executive agreement for example (without congressional input, unless he puts it up for a vote later).

Voting to remove it later would not necessarily invalidate the international portion of the law (both treaties and agreements are considered binding internationally), however US courts would simply quit using it as law. I guess the other countries could sanction us for breaking international law (good luck with that).

Bush withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty with Russia without congressional approval in 2002, however it looks like that treaty had an out clause (Either side could withdraw with 6 months warning). I can't find where anyone in congress challenged him doing it unilaterally.


I'm not a lawyer, this is just what I've pieced together from reading up on it. So take it for what it's worth.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_Clause

[marym625]

4. K&R!

Senator, soon to be President, Sanders!

[yuiyoshida]

10. I second your statement!

Go Bernie Go!

[silvershadow]

7. K&R.

[raouldukelives]

8. The senate is just representing the will of the people.

For every person legitimately opposed to this deal, there are many financially backing the very people making this happen. People like Nike, GE, Dow, Apple, Walmart, BP & Monsanto.
If one can know a person by the company they keep, you can certainly know them by the company they own.

[erronis]

12. I see what you did - corporations are people too, but they have a lot of $$$!

[cantbeserious]

11. One Wonders How A Former Senator Clinton Would Have Voted On This Trade Treaty

eom

[sabrina 1]

13. If this passes, the powers transferred from Congress to the Executive Branch makes the choice of who

will inherit these powers even more important.

Any of the corporate funded candidates currently in the race will likely make deals far more Corporate Friendly than Worker Friendly.

They are making it even more urgent that the people elect Bernie Sanders who I would trust far more with those powers.

It should not pass, but people need to understand that when it does, it is a six year law and the powers it has taken from Congress will go to the next President, not to Obama.

So for this reason alone, if not for all the other reasons we know of, we have to make sure that Bernie wins this race.

[Enthusiast]

16. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

Hundreds!