Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 11, 2014 03:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Daryl D. Metcalfe |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution memorializing Congress to oppose the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 |
| In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution memorializing Congress to oppose the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014. Trade agreements, such as the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act, could preempt state laws and infringe upon the rights of private citizens. This federal legislation grants the President the ability to negotiate trade agreements that can create binding policies on several areas of federal and state law including land use, the environment, and the use of natural resources. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act provides the President with Fast Track trade authority, which is a practice whereby Congress cedes the power of its 535 Members to the President. When Fast Track trade authority is awarded, Congress relinquishes its Constitutional authority to determine the rules for international trade agreements and is prevented from voting on trade agreements until after the President signs the agreement. This means Congress is given a pre-signed trade agreement to vote on and it cannot be amended. As state legislators, we must hold our federal elected officials accountable and urge Congress not to cede to the President such broad authority to unilaterally negotiate trade agreements. It is imperative that all levels of government work together to maintain the sovereignty of the United States and states’ rights. The states created the federal government; not the other way around. I respectfully request your co-sponsorship on this very important issue. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact my office at 783-1707. |
Introduced as HR672