Don't let Congress 'Fast Track' our environment

Congressional leaders are pressing to pass 'fast track' trade negotiation authority. 'Fast track' limits congressional input on trade deals and paves the way for trade agreements that undercut our environmental, health and safety laws. Tell them to say NO to 'fast track' authority.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose H.R. 3005, the Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing today to urge you to oppose H.R. 3005, the Thomas (R-CA) fast track trade authority bill. I strongly believe now is not the time for Congress to debate such divisive legislation. Further, I also have serious concerns with the intention and language of the bill. I support forward-thinking trade agreements that encourage environmental protection and guard against weakening of environmental standards. H.R. 3005 fails on both counts. It is an inadequate piece of legislation that does not address the increasingly complex trade issues facing the United States today.

By including only voluntary negotiating objectives on the environment, H.R. 3005 fails to provide sufficient assurances to Congress that the administration will bring back trade and investment agreements that meet congressional negotiating objectives to safeguard the environment.

H.R. 3005 also fails to protect environmental and public interest laws from foreign investor lawsuits. The bill would allow future trade agreements to include provisions that encourage "regulatory takings" claims by foreign companies, and threaten hard-won laws and regulations that protect our natural resources. H.R. 3005 would do little to reduce the secrecy surrounding these claims, which take place before closed tribunals without public input or scrutiny.

In addition, the Thomas bill would take a major step back from key environmental provisions in the Jordan Free Trade Agreement and the NAFTA environmental side agreement. It would do nothing to prevent countries from lowering their environmental standards to gain unfair trade advantages, and fails to actively promote meaningful improvement in environmental protection and cooperation. Moreover, H.R. 3005 would do nothing to protect Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) from trade challenges.

At a time when Congress should be seeking common ground and unity, it is highly inappropriate to take up such divisive legislation. Under the right circumstances, Congress could craft trade negotiating authority that advances environmental stewardship, safeguards our environmental standards, and renews the American public's confidence in trade. H.R. 3005 does not meet these standards. Please oppose the Thomas bill, and any other bill that similarly fails to address environmental concerns.

I look forward to hearing about your stand on this issue.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 30, 2001

Background Information

Congressional leaders are using the atmosphere caused by the terrorist attacks to press for quick passage of "fast track" trade negotiation authority. Fast Track would be used to expand the environmentally-unfriendly North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) throughout the Western Hemisphere. Despite the bipartisan appeals for unity in this time of crisis, the House plans to vote on this divisive legislation at the end of next week.

Under "fast track" authority, Congress votes to limit its ability to influence trade policy. "Fast track" basically means Congress agrees they won't amend trade deals negotiated by the President. The bummer is that -- while Congress is muzzled, -- hundreds of corporate lobbyists will still have access to US trade negotiators through closed-door, backroom "trade advisory committees." By limiting normal democratic procedures, fast track paves the way for trade deals that undercut our environmental, health and safety laws. And the bottom line is that, if Congress has no say, neither do we.

Congress already rejected fast track authority in 1997 and 1998 over labor and environmental concerns. Now, we are asking them to do it again.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Use the EarthNet Action Center to urge congress to stand up for democracy and the environment by rejecting Fast Track authority.

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.citizen.org/trade/fasttrack/index.cfm ; http://www.aflcio.org/globaleconomy/index.htm ; http://www.sierraclub.org/trade/fasttrack/ ;