Free Trade? Yes. Anti-Constitution, Anti-Transparency Classified TPA/TPP? Definitely No

Why is Passed Free Trade TPA/TPP Classified?

by Seton Motley, Contributing Author: Flying under the free trade flag, many in DC are pushing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and fast-track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

U.S. President Barack Obama Defends Trans-Pacific Partnership

Speaker Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) N/A%: More Trade = More American Jobs

(Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell Urges Cooperation on Trade LegislationIs the TPP actually free trade? Well, we don't know – it's shrouded in lock-down, totalitarian secrecy.Congress Can – and Should – Declassify the TPP

One of the most controversial aspects of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is the fact that the Obama administration has tried to impose a public blockade on the text of the draft agreement….Not exactly "the most transparent administration in history" we were promised.(T)he American people haven't been allowed to see it before Congress votes on fast track. Members of Congress can read the draft agreement under heavy restrictions, but they can't publicly discuss or consult on what they have read….Why isn't every single member of Congress demanding these restrictions be lifted – and TPP be made fully public? Why instead this?When Congress votes on whether to grant the president "fast-track authority" to negotiate the TPP – which would bar Congress from making any changes to the secret pact after it's negotiated – it will effectively be a vote to pre-approve the TPP itself….Fast-track TPA is Congress yet again ceding its Constitutional power to the Executive Branch. Of which we've already seen way too much. The last six years – and the last century.Fast Track Trade Authority: Usurping the Constitution

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states: "The Congress shall have the power…to regulate commerce with foreign nations," among other duties and responsibilities.

Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority is being sought by President Obama as a means of passing new trade agreements through Congress on an up or down vote without the knowledge of the voters.

Instead, Congress should follow the Constitution and debate trade bills under "regular order," not unique Fast Track procedures."Regular order?" I seem to recall hearing that phrase before.Boehner Says House Will 'Follow Regular Order'

McConnell's Call For 'Regular Order' May Not Mean What It Used ToApparently it doesn't.When Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) became Senate majority leader, he promised he'd restore what he called regular order in that chamber.Not so much.McConnell on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority

U.S. House Speaker Boehner Upbeat On Fast-Track Trade ProspectsBefore TPP goes any further, the books should be opened – and We the People shown what it all actually is.

TPA should simply go away. It'd be nice if these people adhered to the Constitution at least every once and a while.
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Seton Motley is the President of Less Government and he contributes to ARRA News Service. Please feel free to follow him him on Twitter   /   Facebook.

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