TPP is a secretive and corrupt trade agreement being negotiated by special interest lobbyists and corporate lawyers around the world. One committee vote could shut it down right now.

Now, they’re trying to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership without ANY real debate or even a full vote in Congress.

Conservatives, progressives, and libertarians all hate this deal. “Fast track” approval is only one committee vote away from heading to the House floor — the time to shut it down is right now. Watch the video to learn more and add your name to demand that the corrupt TPP fast-track be stopped:


Note: All sources are linked at the bottom of this page

The Problem

Why does the TPP,  which has infuriated everyone from Tea Party groups to Elizabeth Warren, have the support of both the Obama administration and congressional Republicans?

Just follow the money.

The TPP establishes a process called Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), which allows foreign companies to bypass the legal systems of sovereign governments and go to an international tribunal of corporate lawyers to demand compensation directly from taxpayers. If ratified, the TPP would open up American taxpayers to ISDS actions from 9,000 foreign companies.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 2.02.30 PM It’s as bad as it sounds. Source: The Economist

While the Obama administration has made every effort to conceal these details from the public (even members of Congress had to jump through hoops to view draft texts), major political donors have been given full access to TPP documents. It also helps that many of the administration’s trade negotiators used to work for companies that are now lobbying for the TPP.

They know what's in it. Source: Maplight They know what’s in it. Source: Maplight

It’s crony capitalism on a global scale, and one of the worst examples yet of what happens when money is allowed to corrupt our political system.

Now for the good news: There’s still time to shut it down — add your name to demand that the corrupt TPP fast-track be stopped now. 

How We Stop It

The Obama administration is pushing Congress to give them “fast track” authority, which would help rush the TPP through with extremely limited debate. Without fast track, the TPP will have to work its way through Congress in the full view of the American public — That means a massive wave of opposition that could derail the entire agreement.

Screen Shot 2015-04-21 at 10.06.23 PM Must have fast track. Source: Politico

The TPP’s supporters know they have a small window before the public catches on and they lose their chance, which is why they’re trying to rush fast track language through two key committees as fast as possible.

Screen Shot 2015-04-21 at 10.27.31 PM You’re telling us. Source: The New York Times

It’s already cleared one committee, and is working its way through the Ways and Means committee right now. If we can get to the Representatives on Ways and Means, we have a chance to shut the whole deal down. But we have to make it happen now — add your name to demand that the corrupt TPP fast-track be stopped. 

Sources / Further reading

Circa News (Background on TPP)

NY Times (Background on TPP)

Vox (Background on TPP and ISDS)

The Economist (Background on ISDS)

Corporate Observatory Europe (Topline Stats and background on ISDS — All facts cited in video can be found in the executive summary)

NPR (Philip Morris sues Uruguay)

Bloomberg Business (Alleged child poisoners Doe Run Peru use ISDS to sue Peru for $800 million)

Maplight (Donor data on companies given access to TPP documents)

Huffington Post (Quote from Sen. Wyden’s office describing secrecy around the deal, + access given to top donors)

Washington Post (Background on additional special interest goodies found in leaked draft texts)

Slate (Tea Party rallies against TPP)

Vox (Elizabeth Warren furios over TPP)

Politico (Deal threatened without fast track)

NY Times (Fast track working it’s way through House and Senate committees)

 

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