Reprinted from Campaign For America's Future
More and more the word is getting out that President Obama, along with the giant multinational corporations and Wall Street, will launch a push in Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during the "lame duck" legislative session following the election.
President Obama should put a stop to this talk right now. It hands Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump a powerful issue to use against -- and embarrass -- Hillary Clinton, should she become the Democratic nominee.
TPP In Lame Duck
The Los Angeles Times has a story, "Obama races to cement the big Pacific Rim trade deal that all his potential successors oppose," that includes this:
"The most optimistic timeline in Congress appears to be for the deal to come to a vote in the lame duck session. Obama predicted recently lawmakers might vote after at least the primary election season had ended."
This story is one of many in various outlets covering administration, business and other sources describing a coming effort to push TPP through Congress after the election. A few examples:
Wall Street Journal, May 24: "Obama Reasserts Hope for TPP Passage This Year":
"'The goal is, I think, to try to complete TPP by the end of this year,' Mr. Obama said.
"...The White House hopes Republican leaders will help pass the TPP in a lame-duck session before Mr. Obama leaves office in January."
The Hill, May 6: "President Obama urging Congress to pass TPP":
"The Obama administration is working closely with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to build support for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), arguing that delaying votes on the deal will make it harder to pass the agreement, the president said in a Washington Post op-ed.
"Congressional leaders have said that the deal won't likely be considered until the lame-duck session after the November elections."
The Hill, April 25: "Chamber's Donohue: TPP vote likely after the elections":
"A top U.S. business leader expects a vote on a massive Asia-Pacific trade agreement after the November elections.
"U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said Monday that election-year pressures will force the Senate to vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during a lame-duck session to protect several vulnerable Republican incumbents."
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