Quote:The secrecy is a big issue.  If it's great for America, why keep the details in a locked room that only those on the list are permitted to see?

 

The inability for congress to amend trade deals negotiated by the president takes the typical congressional add-ons out of the equation.  If they don't like the deal, they can vote it down.  But, they can't add amendments that have nothing to do with the deal, which is how a lot of these types of deals get tainted.  If the president negotiates a trade deal with a nation to lower tariffs on imports of raw material in exchange for a similar agreement for the finished product, it can wind up having all sorts of amendments tacked on for pet projects in order to get congressional support.  So,  you'll see farm subsidies, or highway projects in certain congressional districts added to trade legislation as a way of securing votes.  This takes that out of the equation.  If there's something so objectionable in the deal negotiated by the administration (regardless of party), congress can still shoot it down.  

 

Republicans have always supported free trade.  What's actually surprising here is that they're in agreement with Obama on this one, and it was the democrats who ended up putting the brakes on this process for now.

 

Personally, I find it impossible to have a real opinion on the deal because we're not getting any actual information about the TPA or the other pieces to this.  They're saying that the actual trade deal will have a 60 day window where it will be available for review before congress votes on it.  Those who have read it are, for the most part saying it's pretty much a boilerplate trade deal.  We'll see. 

 

From the bit of research that I've done regarding this, you are correct.

 

I actually like the idea of those in congress not being able to add the "pork" to bills.  However, God forbid should there ever be a situation like President Obama's first two years where a single party controlled not only the Presidency, but both houses of Congress as well.  That's what leads to disasters like Obamacare.

 

I'm still suspicious and skeptical when the hard right is in agreement with President Obama.

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