Free Traitors
The 13 Democrats who voted for TPP, the super-secret trade deal written by lobbyists for American multinational corporations.
As could have been expected, every single Republican in the Senate voted to advance fast-track for Obama on the TPP trade agreement — except for Bill Cassidy (LA) and Dan Sullivan (AK), both who didn’t bother to vote.
But here is the list of the 13 “Third Way” Democrats who voted for the pro-business/anti-worker trade deal:
1) Ron Wyden (D-OR) Also voted for the NAFTA and CAFTA.
2) Bill Nelson (D-FL) Also voted for the CAFTA .
3) Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Also voted for CAFTA.
4) Patty Murray (D-WA) Voted to double the number of H-1B visas.
5) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
6) Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
7) Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
8) Michael Bennet (D-CO)
9) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
10) Tom Carper (D-DE)
11) Chris Coons (D-DE)
12) Tim Kaine (D-VA)
13) Mark Warner (D-VA)
Before the vote, the Alliance for Retired Americans had sent a letter to every member of the House and Senate noting that TPP could cause seniors to pay more for their prescription drugs.
Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance, said “There is also other pending legislation that would take $700 million from Medicare to pay for Trade Adjustment Assistance. This means that Medicare could be cut in order to pay for the adverse conditions workers face as a result of TPP. We cannot allow Medicare to be used as a piggy bank every time the government needs funding for other purposes.”
Now sixty votes are needed to overcome a filibuster and open debate. The trade bill will face amendment votes in the Senate next week. The House is expected to take up the bill after Memorial Day.
President Harry S. Truman, May 17, 1952:
“When the Democratic candidate allows himself to be put on the defensive and starts apologizing for the New Deal and the fair Deal, and says he really doesn’t believe in them, he is sure to lose. The people don’t want a phony Democrat. If it’s a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic clothing, the people will choose the genuine article, every time; that is, they will take a Republican before they will a phony Democrat.”
