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Post from Bobby Allyn's Blog:
Pelosi to Kill Colombia Fast Track?
By Bobby Allyn - Apr 10th, 2008 at 2:43 am EDT
Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog
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Tags: Congress, Fast Track. Pelosi
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Reuters reports that the House will vote today on whether to postpone a vote on the Colombia free-trade agreement, which was set to be voted on under Fast Track.

"The vote on Thursday would change rules for considering the deal by eliminating a 90-day deadline for Congress to approve the Colombia trade deal."

Since Fast Track's inception, it has proven to be an undemocratic mechanism for legislators to rashly pass trade deals.

  • Fast track gives lawmakers 90 days to read over 600+ page trade agreements
  • It prohibits amendments to the trade agreements
  • It gives the executive extraordinary power over trade agreements, neglecting Congressional oversight 

Fast Track has led to the passage of CAFTA, as well as trade agreements with Morocco, Chile, Singapore, and others.

The Fast Track process forces legislators to vote without enough time to really hash out the document. Its an expedient tool that allows the President to essentially bypass Congress.

Pelosi's call to postpone a vote on the Colombia free-trade agreement is a step in the right direction. Next Step: sending Fast Track to the grave.

 


Reader Comments
  
Yep
Reply
By Liberaltarian Apr 10th 2008 at 11:12 am EDT
Agreed! I was glad to read about this.
  
Pelosi to Establish Colombia Slow Track
Reply
By Austin Apr 12th 2008 at 12:00 am EDT
As you mentioned in your previous note "Beyond Mark Penn" certain members of the democratic party also have a history of supporting this free-trade deal among others. Pelosi's move to postpone voting on the Colombia deal has very little to do with a sincere concern for workers or farmers. She outspokenly despises the "economic populism" in Latin America as much as President Bush and the Right. Some Democrats are finding it politically expedient to distance themselves from massively unpopular and damaging free-trade agreements in the Americas. The leadership in the Democratic party are among the most ardent supporters of the free-trade agenda and are trying to stall until after the elections.

The fast track may be out the door but the slow track remains a threat. It's time voters punish unfair-trade enthusiasts at the ballot box and replace them with candidates who respect human dignity and worker rights.
  
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