Democrat Vows To Block Key Nomination Over Asia Trade Deal Secrecy

[IDemo]

Source: NPR

Sen. Sherrod Brown announced Friday he is going to block the confirmation of a high-level White House nominee, because of the Obama administration's refusal to relax its secrecy protocols that make it difficult for members of Congress and their staffs to review the language in a Pacific Rim trade deal.

Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, told NPR it was "outrageous" that congressional staff members with the proper security clearances can view the Trans-Pacific Partnership draft only when a member of Congress accompanies them. As NPR's Ailsa Chang reported in May, the document is stored in a highly secure room in the basement of the Capitol.

A notice was sent from Brown last week to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative demanding credentialed policy advisers full access (minus the chaperone) to the TPP draft language. Brown set the deadline for noon EST Friday.

And when that deadline came and went, Brown announced he was placing a hold on the president's deputy U.S. trade nominee, Marisa Lago.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/14/432290122/democrat-vows-to-block-key-nomination-over-asia-trade-deal-secrecy

[djean111]

1. Good for him. That is a principled stand. n/t

[GoneFishin]

2. I hope it sticks. Too often it seems BO is willing to twist Democrats' arms, while the response to

Republican obstinance is a shrug of the shoulders and capitulation.

[jalan48]

3. It's outrageous. He's right. Unfortunately, Obama is showing his corporate roots.

[bvar22]

4. When a sitting Democratic President refuses to talk to reputable Democrats about a Trade Deal,

...but spends time and money romancing Republicans to vote for it.........then
[font size=3]Houston...we have a BIG problem.[/font]

[november3rd]

5. Go, Sherrod!

That's the way to fight!

He may have Fast Track, but don't let him sneak all those dirty provisions past the public and the press!

Thank you. We need to see that Draft Agreement as soon as possible.

💰🚽💣⌛️💡🔮👻📉💰😱🌐⚡️⚠️🚮

[jwirr]

6. Good. Anything to stop this.

[840high]

7. Very good.

[nikto]

8. It is so obvious that ...

TPP secrecy is hiding a World Of Shit.

[davidpdx]

9. I think Brown has an obvious point

His staff have to be free to do research to help him and he can't be there every second in the room with them. I can see limiting to one person per staff (and that is probably already the case).

Members of Congress need to be able to research and have position papers written by staff so they can make their final decision.

This is one area I disagree with President Obama.