from Bill Still
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Good morning, I’m Still reporting on the Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP.
One thing President Obama would like to slip through Congress before it’s too late for him is the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
Fearing being blindsided by a sudden vote materializing in Congress before Obama evacuates the White House, anti-TPP activists are taking to the road with rock groups and other celebrities on a 4-city concert tour starting tomorrow in Denver at the Summit Music Hall.
Called Rock Against the TPP, the tour will feature free concerts in Denver, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. Concertgoers only requirement will be to sign an anti-TPP petition.
Actress Evangeline Lilly, will MC the Denver event. Lilly, age 36, is best known for her role as Tauriel in “The Hobbit”.
“I don’t want my kids to have to compete with Vietnamese workers who make 65 cents an hour and have no rights,” said Lilly.
“I have watched my country crumble under the weight [of trade dispute lawsuits]. … Don’t sign away your sovereignty to corporations.”
Music will include political punk band Anti-Flag, and rappers Talib Kweli and Flobots rapper Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit.
Meanwhile back here in Washington, the outlook for TPP is not good. The deal must be ratified by Feb. 4, 2018. Supporters have targeted the lame duck session of Congress as the TPP’s best shot at ratification.
Last month, in the New York Times, Obama’s trade ambassador, Michael B. Froman argued that the best shot for TPP is the lame duck session:
“Right now you have a president [Obama], a majority leader [Mitch McConnell] and a speaker [Paul Ryan] who are all pro-trade.”
However, proponents did not count on Donald Trump becoming the GOP nominee. Trump has strongly criticized the TPP.
Hillary Clinton initially called the TPP “the gold standard” but under pressure from her Democrat opponent, Bernie Sanders, has now backtracked, promising to oppose it in a lame duck session.
“I have said I oppose the TPP agreement – and that means before and after the election.”
I’m still reporting from Washington. Good day.