Byron Dorgan: “it is quite clear to me from the cloture vote yesterday that the Senate is going to pass trade promotion authority. I…”

“it is quite clear to me from the cloture vote yesterday that the Senate is going to pass trade promotion authority. I think it is a shame that we have not had a more thoughtful debate on this issue. So I would like to take this opportunity to describe why this issue is and will continue to be controversial. Trade promotion authority is a euphemism for fast track. Fast track is just what the name implies--a process that involves a rush to judgment. It's like fast food, implying a lack of preparation, a quick and easy meal that in the end turns out to be bad for you. Fast track trade authority allows the Administration to go negotiate a trade agreement, and bring it back to the Senate without the ability of any Member to offer a single amendment. Article I, section 8 of the Constitution states that the Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. That is what was written in Philadelphia one hot summer with George Washington sitting in the presiding chair, Ben Franklin over to his left, and Mason, and Madison. They decided Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations--not the trade ambassador, not the President, but the Congress. The Congress has decided in recent years that to delegate this constitutional responsibility to trade negotiators. These negotiators go to places like Doha, Qatar, and negotiate agreements in secret. They bring these agreements back to Congress, and say: Here is the agreement.…”