Was Trade Protection Authority a win for Obama?
Published June 28, 2015
by Congressman Patrick McHenry, published in Asheville Citizen-Times, June 19, 2015.
As we approach the final 18 months of President Obama’s presidency, many in Western North Carolina have deep concerns about anything that increases his power — and rightfully so. Time and again President Obama has acted beyond his executive powers, whether it was delaying significant portions for the Affordable Care Act or unilaterally — and unconstitutionally — rewriting immigration law.
With these overreaches in mind, it is understandable that many would have serious reservations about supporting the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) President Obama has sought. But in reality, TPA is exactly what we need to restrain President Obama, increase transparency, and ensure that Congress — and most importantly, the American people — get a say in any final trade deal President Obama agrees to.
There has been a tremendous amount of misinformation spread about TPA — most of it by big labor unions and their allies on the left. They have claimed that it’s a hidden agreement, written without Congressional input, and discussed in private. None of this is true. The text of TPA has been publicly available on the Internet since April when it was introduced by Chairman Paul Ryan.
Opponents claimed TPA gives President Obama unfettered power and control to negotiate and approve trade agreements with whomever he chooses. This notion couldn’t be further from the truth. TPA is the one and only thing keeping President Obama from having unrestrained power. By passing TPA, we have ensured stringent congressional oversight of trade negotiations in a number of ways. Here are a few.
•With passage of TPA, Congress has laid out 150 specific negotiating objectives and parameters by which the Obama Administration MUST abide. Included in these are guarantees that no immigration or climate change provisions be included in a final trade agreement.
•Under TPA, members of Congress can attend any trade negotiations we wish. Without this legislation, my congressional colleagues and I would be locked out of the process completely. If we are unable to attend, TPA requires negotiators to take and publicize detailed notes from each round of negotiations.
•If the Obama administration should violate any of these parameters or be dishonest in anyway during negotiations, Congress possesses the ability to turn off TPA and end the process. In the House, the power to turn off TPA rests with the Ways and Means Committee and its chairman, Paul Ryan.
•Once any final trade agreement is complete, TPA mandates that the complete text of the agreement be made public for at least 60 days—the first time this requirement has been established in law. There will be no need for secret, soundproof rooms in basements. All that you or I will need to read a final trade agreement under TPA is access to the internet.
•Finally — and most importantly — TPA allows Congress a yes or no vote on any final trade deal. Once the agreement has been fully negotiated, read, and considered, my colleagues and I will each make a decision on whether or not we support it. I look forward to reviewing any trade agreements in their entirety and hearing your thoughts on it. Only then will I make a final decision on how to vote.
I understand the American people’s deep-seated reservations with granting President Obama more power. For six years he has ignored, avoided, and denigrated Congress — specifically Republicans — whenever he’s had the chance. You can trust I would not support anything to enhance his power. TPA empowers the people’s House — your House.
By passing TPA, we guarantee Congress and the American people a prominent role in the process.
