Pocan Calls for Immediate Release of Trans-Pacific Partnership Text

Washington, D.C - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) calls for the immediate release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership text today after negotiators in Atlanta reached a final deal with the 12 countries involved:

"Now that a final deal has been reached the Administration owes it to the American people to immediately release the full text of the TPP. This negotiating process has not been transparent, despite claims from the USTR. The secretive nature of these negotiations is compounded by the pressure to throw together this deal based on the political timelines of negotiating partners is worrisome. These negotiations, which have been conducted almost entirely in secret, are even more concerning given our apparent adherence to political timelines with little regard to the interests of U.S. workers.

"Reports throughout the course of the negotiating process raise serious questions about the impact of this agreement on a number of areas, ranging from workplace and environmental protections to food safety. Initial reports indicate that labor standards remain subpar, currency manipulation has not been adequately addressed, rules of origin for autos have been weakened and human rights issues in countries like Malaysia and Brunei have not been dealt with properly. Along with these concerns, corporations still have the ability to supersede the laws of our country through the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) process.

"Past trade deals have been a disaster for American workers, so it is imperative Congress rigorously reviews this deal to ensure the American people are not being taken for a ride yet again."