I applaud Representative Huffman's view on the TPP

[Karl Frederick]

Dear Karl, Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts about the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. I appreciate hearing from you on this matter. The United States has signed a number of international free trade agreements over the past two decades. There is evidence that while these agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have fostered international economic growth they have also negatively impacted local workers and economies. As you know, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would establish a new free trade agreement involving a number of countries around the Pacific Ocean, from Mexico to Japan, and Canada to Peru. I have many concerns regarding the TPP and I oppose efforts to "fast track," or quickly approve, a trade agreement through Congress without proper oversight, input, and review. I have joined with other members of the House of Representatives to call for more transparency and disclosure in ongoing trade talks. Additionally, I have called on President Obama to fulfill his promise of a "new day in trade" including by refusing to weaken American protections for workers and the environment. For example, the TPP may have the effect of weakening the natural gas export review process, meaning that we will see an increase in fracking. I personally led a letter calling on the United States Trade Representative to work to protect the vital role that the Department of Energy currently plays in overseeing natural gas exports. I will continue to monitor this situation closely as these negotiations continue. Thank you again for sharing your views on this issue. The people of California's 2nd District are the most important voices I listen to while serving in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you in the future. Sincerely, Jared Huffman Member of Congress P.S. If you would like to stay up to date on my work in Congress, please subscribe to my newsletter by clicking here, friending me on Facebook, or following me on Twitter at @RepHuffman.

[Glia]

Thanks for posting this, Karl. Good to hear that Huffman opposes the "fast track" gambit and recognizes the harm caused by previous trade agreements, but you will note that he is *not opposed* to the TPP.

Also note that Huffman is also doing a lot of "calling" -- and that's all he is going to do because no one answers when he "calls."

When the gaming compact for the Graton pseudo-tribe casino in Rohnert Park was being de-facto fast-tracked through the California state legislature, the scuttlebutt is that Huffman was threatened with "hit piece" mailers against him in the race for the Congressional seat if he dared to oppose the compact -- something he made noise about in his bid for the Assembly. He blinked and stayed quiet.

Huffman huffs and puffs, and gets blown off.