PROTESTERS ASK REP. PETERS TO OPPOSE FAST-TRACKING TPP TRADE DEAL

East County News Service

May 26, 2015 (San Diego) – The House of Representatives will soon be voting on a controversial proposal to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, after the Senate approved the fast-tracking.  On Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., activist groups led by the Sierra Club and SD County Democrats for Environmental Action plan a rally at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, where they will call on Peters to oppose the fast-track deal.

A press release from the group claims the “secret trade agreement crafted in collaboration with multi-national corporations would undermine climate, health and labor safeguards.”

Moreover, the groups contend, the TPP would allow fossil fuel companies to sue governments that take action to stop climate disruption in private trade tribunals, also eliminating the Department of Energy’s environmental review of fracked gas exports to TPP countries.

“Finally,” the release states, “the TPP is being written in secret, and the American people can’t read the bill—members of Congress only can by entering a secure windowless room without a phone or any notes.”

The measure is backed by business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which claim it would benefit business, boost trade and the economy.