Rep. Huffman Votes Against Fast-Track Authority

June 12, 2015

Huffman: “The House today voted to weaken human trafficking standards and to prohibit trade agreements from addressing climate change. This is simply unacceptable.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement after voting against Trade Promotion Authority, which would extend “fast track” trade negotiation authority for the next six years:

“Trade Promotion Authority would grease the skids for a vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, limiting Congressional input to a bare minimum and leaving no chance to improve the trade deal or strip it of destructive provisions. Worse, the House today voted to weaken human trafficking standards and prohibit trade agreements from addressing climate change. This is simply unacceptable.

This goes beyond the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We are being asked to extend Trade Promotion Authority for six years, meaning that the next presidents, whoever they are, could use it to jam new trade deals through Congress that further undermine vital laws protecting consumers, the environment, and public health. I cannot support the idea of fast-tracking the dismantling of Dodd-Frank financial reforms, or fast-tracking the decimation of the Clean Water Act.”

Last week, Huffman authored an op-ed in the North Bay Bohemian expressing his strong opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Huffman’s op-ed can be found HERE.

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