Why Are Republicans Protecting Secret Trade Deals?

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Why is the "small government" Republican Party so concerned about the details of trade deals being made available not just to the public, but do the very legislators who have to vote to approve or reject them?

The battle between organized labor, progressive Democrats and President Obama over the Trans Pacific Partnership continued on Thursday when U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Joe Machin filed the Trade Transparency Act, a bill requiring that the public and Congress have at least 60 days to review and debate any trade legislation before being moved to the floor for a vote. The move was intended to highlight the issue many Americans see with continuing to categorize trade negotiations as classified, especially when it effects the personal finances of millions of workers and business owners alike.

Senators are forced to go into a classified viewing room in order to read the full text of the document, but are not allowed to bring in key staff or take notes on what is included in the bill text. Not only this, but as you would assume for classified documents, elected officials are unable to speak to anyone without proper security clearance about the specific details of the trade negotiations without suffering potential criminal legal ramifications. This becomes a serious issue when dealing with complicated and technical negotiations regarding the largest trade deal in American history. It also raises serious questions about the legislative process and democracy generally when the public is unable to view the content of a bill introduced in Congress, but foreign government officials and private corporations are.

TPP Remains Classified after Trade Transparency Act is Blocked by Senate Republicans

 

[Avorysuds]

Democrats in power = more Government... Republicans in power = more Government. Dem/Reps in power = Less free poorer population.

I think it's safe to say bigger Government does not work as it is sold.

Why do Reps hide stuff, because its about pretending to be small Government while growing Government. Just like for Dems it's about Growing Government openly but blaming Reps for why that growth fails over and over. It's a simple game of dividing people to gain power and push more control.

What's the difference between the worst President in world history Bush, and the best smartest President is galactic history Obama? Obama did all Bush's programs, bigger and better!!

Kinda like FDR to Hoover.

 

[Flipper]

Does the OP know that Obama has capped the revealing of this,not the Republicans?

Having said that the R's are committing suicide here by going along with Mr. Obama.

 

[Geaux4it]

Does the OP know that Obama has capped the revealing of this,not the Republicans?

Having said that the R's are committing suicide here by going along with Mr. Obama.

Another reason why I fired the pub party years ago after the dyke SNOW sold us down the river

-Geaux

 

[SuperDemocrat]

Does the OP know that Obama has capped the revealing of this,not the Republicans?

Having said that the R's are committing suicide here by going along with Mr. Obama.

I actually think he does know this but since blame for anything bad gets deflected to the cooperating gop then we only talk about the gop. Obama walks away blameless. I think it has a lot to do with the authoritarian tendency to preserve the "kings" power and status at all cost. Power must be protected so the person who is wielding it, more specifically, his position must be protected.

 

[eagle7_31]

Why is the "small government" Republican Party so concerned about the details of trade deals being made available not just to the public, but do the very legislators who have to vote to approve or reject them?

The battle between organized labor, progressive Democrats and President Obama over the Trans Pacific Partnership continued on Thursday when U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Joe Machin filed the Trade Transparency Act, a bill requiring that the public and Congress have at least 60 days to review and debate any trade legislation before being moved to the floor for a vote. The move was intended to highlight the issue many Americans see with continuing to categorize trade negotiations as classified, especially when it effects the personal finances of millions of workers and business owners alike.

Senators are forced to go into a classified viewing room in order to read the full text of the document, but are not allowed to bring in key staff or take notes on what is included in the bill text. Not only this, but as you would assume for classified documents, elected officials are unable to speak to anyone without proper security clearance about the specific details of the trade negotiations without suffering potential criminal legal ramifications. This becomes a serious issue when dealing with complicated and technical negotiations regarding the largest trade deal in American history. It also raises serious questions about the legislative process and democracy generally when the public is unable to view the content of a bill introduced in Congress, but foreign government officials and private corporations are.

TPP Remains Classified after Trade Transparency Act is Blocked by Senate Republicans

As a Republican I'd like an answer to that question myself. I've never liked so called 'free trade' it smacks of cartel capitalism.

 

[2aguy]

Why is the "small government" Republican Party so concerned about the details of trade deals being made available not just to the public, but do the very legislators who have to vote to approve or reject them?

The battle between organized labor, progressive Democrats and President Obama over the Trans Pacific Partnership continued on Thursday when U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Joe Machin filed the Trade Transparency Act, a bill requiring that the public and Congress have at least 60 days to review and debate any trade legislation before being moved to the floor for a vote. The move was intended to highlight the issue many Americans see with continuing to categorize trade negotiations as classified, especially when it effects the personal finances of millions of workers and business owners alike.

Senators are forced to go into a classified viewing room in order to read the full text of the document, but are not allowed to bring in key staff or take notes on what is included in the bill text. Not only this, but as you would assume for classified documents, elected officials are unable to speak to anyone without proper security clearance about the specific details of the trade negotiations without suffering potential criminal legal ramifications. This becomes a serious issue when dealing with complicated and technical negotiations regarding the largest trade deal in American history. It also raises serious questions about the legislative process and democracy generally when the public is unable to view the content of a bill introduced in Congress, but foreign government officials and private corporations are.

TPP Remains Classified after Trade Transparency Act is Blocked by Senate Republicans

Because it is the Washington D.C. establishment republicans who are doing the heavy lifting on it...while others support free trade....giving any democrat power in this way is just dumb...especially obama and possibly hilary.....

 

[2aguy]

Does the OP know that Obama has capped the revealing of this,not the Republicans?

Having said that the R's are committing suicide here by going along with Mr. Obama.

That is why they need to get rid of the establishment republicans......they are too eager to play with the democrats.....

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Because it is the Washington D.C. establishment republicans who are doing the heavy lifting on it...while others support free trade....giving any democrat power in this way is just dumb...especially obama and possibly hilary.....

I guess 98% of the Republicans in the Senate then are establishment.