The transparency president and top secret free trade bill.

[Coded-Dude]

It seems the dems are the ones who threw the wrench. I bet Obama is pissed.

Orin Hatch is speaking now....he is "flabbergasted." LOL

Transmitted via Tactical Telecommunications Device

 

[TenBears]

Don't worry the republicans promise to help Obama get obamatrade passed. I'm so glad there is such a tangible difference between the parties. Kind of like when the R's fully funded Obama care that they were vehemently against during the elections. It's a big club and you ain't in it, to paraphrase George Carlin.


http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/12/democrats-filibuster-obamas-trade-bill/

 

[Coded-Dude]

After hearing the today's debate, it sounds like the TPA would have given some oversight to congress. While it would have also given the President the ability to fast track trade agreements, it also had portions that would allow congress to sit in on negotiations, read the entirety of the deal, and debate on its merits(a final say of sorts).... I have yet to actually read the text of the bill(just going off of the two parties arguing over it in the senate).

 

[Raoul Duke]

Some Republicans are being duped

But that's not all: The fast track authority being granted to Obama and his successor for the next six years applies to whatever type of trade negotiation Obama chooses to enter into.

So, if he can write the UN Arms Trade Treaty into a trade agreement, then it can't be filibustered or amended or prevented from consideration.

Tragically, many conservative Republicans have listened to business lobbyists -- who are focused on the free trade issues without considering the impact on personal liberties -- and have endorsed fast track. But one business leader recently took Republican lawmakers to the woodshed for this:

By now Congressional Republicans should know better. The Obama administration has stonewalled Congress on many issues, e.g., guns to Mexico and the IRS scandal, and this President has ignored the law and by-passed Congress on such matters as executive amnesty and the Bergdahl prisoner exchange. [The] alleged economic benefits of TPP -- and they are minimal ... -- do not trump the Constitution, the law, and the proper use of fast track.

It is significant that, in Sen. Orrin Hatch's 114-page bill specifying the goals of U.S. trade negotiations (S. 995), there is not a single word prohibiting Obama from using the agreements to implement gun control. And yet, that gun control will be just as binding as if Congress enacted it in a statute.

https://gunowners.org/alert5072015.htm

MYTH VS. FACT ON FAST-TRACK EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
Fast Track Would Reduce Congressional Power, Subject U.S. To Global Tribunals, And Pave Way For New Executive Actions

http://www.sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=EF67A223-A164-4144-BC38-ADBA0D80735C

Inhofe and Lankford both voted to end debate and move this forward.

Lankford did see fit to author up a fluff amendment to pander to bible bangers before moving this bill forward though. Guess the oath he swore was just to(or pretend to, really) uphold the parts of the Constitution he personally likes, screw the rest:

U.S. Senate clears amendment by Sen. James Lankford encouraging religious freedom among trading partners
Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford’s amendment does not require changes before trading pacts are approved, but says U.S. trade representatives must consider a country’s policies regarding religious freedom.

http://newsok.com/u.s.-senate-clears-amendment-by-sen.-james-lankford-encouraging-religious-freedom-among-trading-partners/article/5420385

 

[TenBears]

Lankford is the love child of McCain and Graham?

 

[RugersGR8]

Rick Roberts(KTOK) had Lankford on for a short time on Friday afternoon's show. Roberts made it pretty clear to Lankford that he didn't agree with Lankford's stand on the trade agreement. Lankford is supposed to return next week for a more "in depth" interview. I really want to hear that show. For the first time, IMHO, Lankford made a lame statement on how the people elected him to decipher the DC Bravo Sierra and report the real info back to the people in Oklahoma---evidently a lot of other people thought this was a lame statement too---including Rick Roberts.