Get a Pledge to Veto the TPP in the Democratic Platform
In June 2015, the vast majority of Democratic senators and representatives voted against the enabling legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), namely, Fast Track. Because of dwindling pre-general election support, the GOP congressional leadership is conspiring to pass TPP during a lame duck session after the general election, shielding their candidates from accountability for TPP votes.
Here is what AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said about votes on the TPP: “Unless you make a strong statement [about the TPP], the American public is going to be confused by the opposite side who is very sharp and clear on trade. . .If we simply muddle through the issue, we’ll lose votes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan … every state that’s seen a failed trade agreement work to their disadvantage. I think we have to be crystal clear and sharp on the issue, otherwise we lose to a Republican Party coming from the left.”
President Barack Obama should not be exempt from sacrifice to keep presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump out of the White House and to foster party unity. Compromising with fellow Democrats who oppose the TPP instead of supporting the GOP position favoring the TPP is common sense. If the President doesn’t veto a lame duck session passage of TPP, his legacy will be conspiring with the GOP in an end-run to prevent accountability by incumbents.
Please reply to the DFA SURVEY: What do you want in the Democratic platform? Please include a request that President Obama pledge to veto the TPP if passed in the lame duck session.
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