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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHuffPo: Democrat Says Obama Administration Dodging Request To Read Trade Deals Without Restrictions
WASHINGTON -- A Democratic congressman has accused the Obama administration of dodging his request for "unimpeded" access to two controversial trade agreements -- reigniting a dispute over transparency as the president presses legislators for so-called "fast-track" authority, which would block members of Congress from offering amendments to either deal.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, wants to view an unredacted copy of the proposed text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). He wants to bring his chief of staff, who has a top security clearance, and he wants to be able to take notes privately. He also wants to review documents that show the position of each country participating in the agreements, as well how the U.S. position has changed over the course of the negotiations.
In a letter this week, Doggett accused Michael Froman, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), of avoiding his requests since January. "USTR has provided no legal justification for denying such Member and staff review," wrote Doggett.
The text of TPP is treated as a state secret -- to a degree. Access to TPP texts is limited to members of Congress and staffers on the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee who have an official security clearance. Hundreds of corporate lobbyists and executives are also given access, along with dozens of representatives of labor unions, nonprofits and other consumer groups.
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Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)It needs to end.
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)thanks to 9/11 and the Endless War on Terrah.
But We the People do NOT get to have any secrets (see NSA 25/7 100% penetration surveillance of US public)
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)He must be a Paulite racist LLI hater!!!!!!!! He didn't like the selfie stick!!!!
Scuba
(53,475 posts)markpkessinger
(8,401 posts). . . "the delicacy of negotiations," etc., etc.
hay rick
(7,633 posts)If we or one of our elected representatives ever saw unredacted copies of TPP or TTIP all of our heads would explode.
840high
(17,196 posts)will explode after we've been screwed again.
pampango
(24,692 posts)I did not realize that all members of congress had access to it now. I thought they wouldn't be able to see what was in it until after negotiations were completed and it was submitted to congress.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)That seems as though there are restrictions. I know they also are not allowed to take notes.
pampango
(24,692 posts)"We have been in touch with Congressman Doggetts office regarding his request to review negotiating texts, but we have not yet been provided a time when he is available," said Bates.
Leslie Tisdale, a spokeswoman for Doggett, confirmed that the congressman's office received a call after they sent the letter to Froman. She said USTR "has said 'when do you want to come in for the review' -- but it's not a meaningful review." She added that the Congressman "can't take notes, it's not private [and] all of these things we outlined in the letter are still not addressed."
Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), who has viewed the text of TPP, told HuffPost that he found the process beyond burdensome.
Doggett's spokeswoman did not repeat anything about 'redactions' in her response to the USTR's contact. Neither did Grayson mention 'redactions'. It would be good to know what Goggett was referring to.
I agree. It does sound like there are too many restrictions, but at least congress does have access to it.