Political Quotes

“on Monday, the League of Conservation Voters circulated a letter urging Members to oppose the Presidential trade negotiating authority known as Fast Track, or trade promotion authority. League of Conservation Voters warned it would consider including the trade bill on its annual scorecard. The league has stated Fast Track would threaten hard-won environmental and public health laws and regulations. The bill would do nothing, nothing, to prevent countries from lowering their environmental standards to gain unfair economic and trade advantages over Western democracies. Environmental provisions must be included, Mr. Speaker, in the core text of these trade agreements. Though Fast Track supporters have repeatedly refused, these provisions must be enforced by sanctions. Simply look at how environmental and labor standards evolved in the United States. Creation of these standards did not come about because corporations wanted them. To the contrary. They arose because concerned citizens demanded change to prevent companies from abusing workers, from polluting our air and from dumping waste into our waters. Through free speech and the democratic process, the U.S. developed laws to protect workers and the environment. But many in the developing world do not have these privileges.”