Progressive Breakfast: Let The Public Read The Completed Parts Of Trans-Pacific Partnership

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MORNING MESSAGE

Dave Johnson: Let The Public Read The Completed Parts Of Trans-Pacific Partnership
There is, of course, an easy way to settle disputes about what is in the TPP and what its consequences might be: let We the People see the text of the agreement and we can decide for ourselves. The president says that we can’t see the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership because it is still being negotiated. He says other countries will not “make their best offers” if the people in their countries can see what they are offering. I’m not sure that it is the job of the United States to help other countries hide things from their own citizens, but OK, then how about letting us see the parts that are not still being negotiated? Surely allowing We the People to read and analyze the “settled” provisions cannot cause other countries to hold back offers in the unsettled provisions.

Warren Strikes Back On TPP

Sen. Warren issues report detailing poor enforcement of labor provisions in trade agreements. Politico: “Warren argued that the United States has not enforced labor protections in previous free trade deals. The report also contends that countries who have entered into trade agreements with the United States, such as Guatemala and Colombia, have not curbed abuses against their workers.”
“I’ve Read Obama’s Secret Trade Deal. Elizabeth Warren Is Right to Be Concerned.” says Michael Wessel in Politico Magazine: “I’ve actually read the TPP text provided to the government’s own advisors, and I’ve given the president an earful about how this trade deal will damage this nation. But I can’t share my criticisms with you. [And] the ability of TPP critics like me to point out the deal’s many failings is limited by the government’s surprising and unprecedented refusal to make revisions to the language in the TPP fully available to cleared advisors.”
Dems push to remove Medicare provision from Trade Adjustment Assistance bill. Roll Call: “Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairmen Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona and Keith Ellison of Minnesota … aren’t impressed with the current TAA framework, which derives much of its funding from sequester cuts to Medicare … ‘we should be investing in the trust fund, not using savings to fund other programs.'”
“Car States Balk at Trade Pact” reports WSJ: “With the dollar’s rise eating into profits, Ford Motor Co. is pressing allies in Congress to include rules cracking down on potential currency manipulation in Japan. At the same time, unions and lawmakers wary of lowering trade barriers warn the TPP could reduce the appeal of U.S. operations for Japanese producers, which currently avoid a small but significant tariff on cars produced and sold in the U.S.”
“Broad Coalition Rallies to Defeat Obama on Trade Deal” reports Bloomberg: “This time around … labor is now joined by a disparate—yet politically formidable—coalition … Among the most active groups are environmental advocacy organizations like the Sierra Club … seniors are worried about the effects of more open markets on drug pricing that could increase their costs …”
Sen. Majority Leader McConnell pledges to pass fast track this week despite long list of amendments. The Hill quotes: “…we will remain in session as long as it takes to do so … The more our colleagues across the aisle try to throw sand in the gears this week, the less opportunities members will have for amendments.”

Progressives Hold Out On Hillary

Clinton takes populist line before small biz event. W. Post: “[On Monday,] her message was populist … ‘The deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top,’ Clinton said. She attacked ‘hedge-fund managers’ and other financiers for exploiting loopholes in the U.S. tax code … Clinton is scheduled to appear Tuesday in nearby Cedar Falls for a roundtable with small-business leaders…”
“Sanders takes aim at high drug prices” reports The Hill: “Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on Monday introduced a bill aimed at lowering the taxpayer burden for rising generic drug prices. Brand-name drug manufacturers are required by law to pay a rebate to Medicaid when their drug prices rise faster than inflation. Sanders and Cummings’s bill would extend this requirement to generic drug manufacturers.”

House GOP Wants Repatriation

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthysays long-term transportation bill will be linked to tax reform, including repatriation. Politico quotes: “I see a path to a long highway bill that lines up at the same time — has to be at the end of the year — because if you want to do repatriation, you gotta have tax reform to do repatriation …”

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