HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins told a few dozen union members Thursday that he’s yet to make up his mind on how he’d vote on the so-called “fast-track” bill.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue, representatives from the Communication Workers of America and other unions had a meeting with Jenkins in Huntington urging him to vote against fast-track and the associated Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
CWA representative Elaine Harris said some have called the proposed trade agreement “NAFTA on steroids.” She said the loss of American jobs is at stake.
“We remain hopeful there are enough votes from both parties that either keeps it on hold or it gets voted down,” Harris said.
The agreement is the result of an unusual coalition between President Barack Obama and some leading congressional Republicans. Liberal members of Congress are generally against the plan especially the fast-track provision that would send the bill through Congress quickly.
“There would be no discussion. It would be fast-tracked through Congress without any discussion, without any hearing, without any debate,” Harris said.
Rep. Jenkins told the group Thursday he is hearing from all sides of the issue. Harris said he did express concern about possibility of limiting debate on the trade issue.
“We hope at the end of the day the congressman would vote against fast-track and TPP as well,” Harris said.
President Obama has supported the legislation.
“It would level the playing field, give our workers a fair shot, and for the first time, include strong fully enforceable protections for workers’ rights, the environment and a free and open Internet,” Obama said last month.
Supporters say the trade agreement would expand American exports in the nearly dozen nations that are involved in Asia and South America.
TPP would be the largest North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of 1994, which was supported by then-President Bill Clinton despite opposition from many Democrats and labor unions.