In an unconscionable and sleazy effort to use the crisis of September 11 to further an unpopular agenda, Representative Bill Thomas (R-CA), chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, is pushing for quick approval of "fast track" legislation.
Fast track would give President Bush the authority to negotiate broad trade agreements, including the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas. Under fast track, Congress would have only limited time to debate proposed treaties and would be restricted to a simple up-down vote without the possibility of offering amendments.
Before the national tragedy on September 11, Republicans floated fast track, but decided against introducing legislation because, by their own count, they lacked sufficient votes to pass it. Now Representative Thomas is trying to quickly push through this unpopular legislation while the rest of the country grieves for the loss of 5,000 fellow citizens. Even cynical Washington observers, accustomed to the machinations of self-serving politicians, find the actions of Rep. Thomas reprehensible.
Thomas may introduce fast track legislation as soon as the week of Sept. 24th, so please call today.
For more information or to join the struggle against the FTAA, contact the Alliance for Responsible Trade at msn@mexicosolidarity.org.
