Stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership and "Fast Track"

"Fast Track" and the TPP: Congressional Deals That Threaten Public Health

Big corporations and Wall Street, in the name of profits, are currently pushing trade agreements that, if approved, will override national laws meant to protect you, your patients and your families. A resulting world of higher drug prices, lax food safety regulations and overturned climate protections is on the horizon, thanks to these risky deals, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—a pending agreement covering the U.S. and 11 other countries.

Nurses can act NOW to stop the passage of “Fast Track,” which could slide the TPP and other dangerous deals through Congress, unchallenged.

“Fast track” authority—currently being pushed for by President Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (with active support of corporate groups and lobbyists)—allows these trade pacts to leapfrog customary legislative protocol with a rapid “up or down” vote and without a public hearing, amendments or adequate floor debate. Guess who benefits, if Fast Track passes? Big corporations, at the expense of the public.

As nurses, we are alarmed about “Fast Tracking” deals that may allow pharmaceutical companies sway over life-saving medication costs, allow healthcare corporation to privatize national healthcare systems, and permit other corporate interests to override a broad range of safety laws on issues such as food safety and limiting tobacco use.