WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) released the following statement in response to the House consideration of H.R. 1314, Trade Act of 2015.
“The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is on the wrong track. This trade agreement includes several countries with abysmal records on human rights and labor and environmental protection. And TPP does nothing to guarantee that will change. Instead, it would continue the exploitation of foreign workers. Congress should not give up its constitutional power to be engaged in the process by voting for fast-track authority. A vote for fast-track is a vote against transparency and a vote to take Congress out of the debate. We should be creating American jobs, increasing wages, and promoting economic growth. The current TPP does the opposite. I refuse to relinquish my right to fix a trade agreement that will export American jobs. I voted no on fast-track because it fails the American people and I will continue to pursue ways to prevent a bad trade deal from being passed without the chance for public debate.”