Political Quotes

“House action is expected on trade provisions this week. A vote on a package that establishes the rules for how the next major trade agreement will be handled, the trade promotion authority, may be voted on, this Friday. It has been fascinating for me to hear the arguments at home and in Washington, D.C., of those who are opposed to trade promotion authority and have already decided against the Trans-Pacific Partnership before the agreement is even finished. The critics often cite concerns about the environment, but what I hear from some of my friends on the other side of this question at home stands in stark contrast to what I think reality is. The dreaded ``secret negotiations'' are somehow raised as a negative. To the best of my knowledge, all major serious agreements are negotiated in private like all labor union contracts. It is after they are negotiated that the Members have them and look at whether or not it is worthy of their support. There are concerns about various corporate advisers whispering in the Trade Representative's ear and having access to confidential information tilting the playing field. Last week, I met with two of those sinister advisers who happen to be respected environmental leaders. Yes, the advisory panels include environmental leaders and, in fact, union leaders as well.…”