He goes in to nice details on why it is a bad deal for Americans. Wish his fellow Oregon senator Wyden had listened to him more and adjusted his vote accordingly! Even though Wyden's running this year, I think I still will make a point of going to Merkley's BBQ next month and giving to his campaign then. He's always a great guy to shake hands with and spends time talking to us when he does!
http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-statement-on-senate-passage-of-fast-track
MERKLEY STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF FAST TRACK
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC Oregons Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed fast track trade legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other future trade deals:
When crafting a new trade structure, our national objective should be raising wages and living standards for middle-class Americans. Past trade deals have consistently failed to live up to their promises and made it harder for working Americans to get ahead. Unfortunately, the fast track bill passed by the Senate today does not change that fundamental structure a structure which has led so many past trade deals to create job losses and falling wages for working Americans.
Many Americans understand that competing for jobs with workers earning rock-bottom wages in other countries hurts them and hurts our economy. Thats why I pressed to use this opportunity to make sure that future agreements truly have meaningful, rising labor and environmental standards, and that theyre able to be enforced. Despite the hard work of many on both sides of this debate, this trade framework ultimately does not achieve enforceable standards on critical issues like minimum wages, currency manipulation, environmental standards, and labor standards. Thus, while some industries may benefit from this framework, new trade deals under this structure will hurt American workers. Thats why I voted no on fast track today.
Other pols browsing here! THIS is the kind of politician I want in Washington representing me!