WASHINGTON, June 23 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed deep disappointment today after the Senate voted 60-37 to cut off debate and advance legislation that would grant President Barack Obama powers to complete a major Pacific trade accord.
“The vote today – pushed by multi-national corporations, pharmaceutical companies and Wall Street – will mean a continuation of disastrous trade policies which have cost our country millions of decent-paying jobs,” said Sanders, who voted no.
“American workers deserve a trade policy that works for them and not only for the CEOs of major multi-national corporations. We cannot continue trade policies which outsource jobs to low-wage countries overseas and lead us into a race to the bottom,” Sanders added.
The legislation would let the president negotiate an agreement that Congress could vote up or down but not amend. The measure also lacks a provision to help workers in the United States who are thrown out of jobs because of trade deals.
Contact: Michael Briggs: (202) 224-5141
Dumb Congress
“The legislation would let the president negotiate an agreement that Congress could vote up or down but not amend.”
The Legislative branch giving away powers to the Executive branch? What are they thinking? Will this hold up as constitutional?
How long until the a person who voted for this complains that the president has to much power, and is doing things without congressional review?