Statement on Senator Max Baucus and Congressman Dave Camp's Introduction of "Fast Track" Trade Promotion Authority

Washington, DC (January 9, 2013) – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the introduction of fast track legislation:

“I oppose Fast Track trade authority, which keeps Congress and the American person out of an open and transparent debate on the impact of a major trade agreement. The history of trade agreements has been grim. Americans do not benefit from trade agreements that encourage corporations to ship jobs overseas, undermine labor and human rights standards, degrade the environment or put the interests of pharmaceutical companies ahead of the needs of health care consumers. Trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership would touch on every part of our economy and could have enormous negative consequences for working men, women and their families, and businesses. When trade deals are negotiated in secret, the public is kept in the dark and members of Congress are not allowed to offer changes, we all lose. I will fight for openness and fairness in our trade policies.”

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