President Obama delivers a speech at the Federal Trade Commissions on Monday. (Aude Guerrucci, Pool/Getty Images)
Re: “Give president fast-track trade authority,” Jan. 5 editorial.
Just because President Obama and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill agree on something doesn’t mean it is good for America.
While it is true that “fast track” trade promotion authority has supporters from both sides of the aisle, it is also true that there is broad bipartisan opposition both in Washington and across the country.
Fast track is not needed to negotiate a trade bill and plenty have been passed without it. Fast track is a process where Congress actually gives away its constitutional authority to the president. Instead of helping Congress function, it would be another example of political laziness.
Fast track will not actually get us good trade deals, but it will stop Congress from being able to make any proposed deal better for American workers, farmers and families. Congress should use its constitutional authority to fully and openly debate trade bills that impact us all.
Jan Boyle,Parker
This letter was published in the Jan. 14 edition.
