On March 1 the Obama administration released a 2013 trade policy agenda
that calls on Congress to authorize "Trade Promotion Authority" (TPA).
This TPA, also known as "fast-track trade authority" provides for
expedited congressional handling of trade pacts, and is generally
considered necessary for Congress to pass a new trade deal.
Under fast-track rules, a trade pact must have an up-or-down vote in
both House and Senate, without amendment, within 90 days of being
submitted by the Executive Branch. Congress has never rejected a trade
agreement that was submitted under fast-track rules.
A
major objection to authorizing TPA for the Obama administration is that
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives the power "to regulate
commerce with foreign nations" to Congress, not the President. Awarding
TPA to the Executive Branch cedes a great deal of power to regulate
commerce to the President. Furthermore, the multilateral trade
agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
that result from presidential exercise of TPA, set up new multilateral
panels and tribunals that regulate U.S. trade. These multilateral
entities are deemed superior to the U.S. Congress and courts regarding
regulation of trade within their respective trade blocs, which amounts
to a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution.
President Obama is asking for TPA at this time to help his
administration get congressional approval of a Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) free trade pact by December 31 this year. He has also announced
the launching of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) free trade deal, which he hopes to conclude by 2015.
A second major objection to authorizing TPA for the Obama administration
is that it would facilitate the administration's negotiations and
congressional approval of free trade agreements, such as the TPP and
TTIP. Such free trade deals help to bring about economic integration
which then generally leads to political integration and ultimate loss of
sovereignty for the nations who originally entered into these free
trade agreements.
For example, many European nations established a European-wide free
trade area by means of a series of free trade agreements beginning in
the 1950s.
This economic integration has evolved into political integration whereby 27 formerly sovereign European nations now find themselves ruled by a new supranational entity, the European Union.
Similarly, the continent-wide free trade area established by the NAFTA agreement in 1993
has evolved toward a North American Union, following the earlier trajectory of the European nations from free trade area to political union.
Political union with Mexico, Canada, and eventually the Pacific Rim
nations of the TPP and the 27 nations of the EU would mean the end of
our national independence along with the loss of the United States
Constitution and the freedom and prosperity that we have enjoyed while
living under its protection.
As most of you already know, it's getting late in the game to stop all
of this merger madness. It's even an article of faith for many senators
and representatives, especially Republicans, that free trade agreements
will lead to more jobs and greater prosperity for our nation, even
though our experience with NAFTA proves otherwise. And, virtually no one
in Congress seems to understand how free trade agreements lead to
political integration.
Nonetheless, we have to start somewhere to turn this whole
movement toward regional trade agreements and eventual world government
around. A good place to take a stand is to oppose Trade Promotion
Authority. Although no bill has been introduced in Congress yet to
authorize TPA, such legislation is likely to be introduced in the next
month or so.
Click here to send a prewritten, editable email to your representative and senators in opposition to authorizing Trade Promotion Authority for the Obama administration.
Phone calls can also be very effective, and of course, the most
effective way to educate your congressmen and staff is by making
personal visits to their offices.
Click here for contact information.
Thanks.
Your Friends at The John Birch Society
