JOHN LINDER: “we are told that silence is golden. However, what happens when the body being silenced is the House of Representatives?…”

“we are told that silence is golden. However, what happens when the body being silenced is the House of Representatives? Most certainly my colleagues would object to the suppression of our voice and our role in the debate in consideration of legislative matters. Yet, without trade promotion authority, our voices are silenced regarding trade. Trade promotion authority allows trade agreements to be considered as congressional executive agreements. These agreements represent procedural compromises. The President forgoes his ability to single-handedly negotiate treaties and, instead, agrees to consult closely with the Congress to ensure that congressional priorities are heard. Congress, in turn, commits to an up or down vote, but waives the right to offer amendments. Some of my colleagues seem to think that our inability to offer amendments is too great a sacrifice. What then is the alternative? Without TPA, the President would unilaterally negotiate a treaty which would then be presented solely to the Senate for ratification. This obviously begs the question where is the House. The answer, absent. Without TPA we have no role, no authority, and no voice in trade agreements. This is the people's House. Do not let our voice be silenced. Support TPA.”