Fast Track

Trade Promotion Authority, more commonly known as Fast Track, delegates to the President Congress' constitutional authority to set the terms of trade agreements. Under Fast Track, the President is authorized to negotiate trade deals with foreign countries without consulting with Congress or state legislators. Once the deal is solidified and the executive branch writes the implementing legislation, the bill is submitted to Congress. Congress cannot amend the President's bill either in committee or in the Senate or House, and is only allowed a yes or no vote. The bill can be passed with a simple majority and must be voted on within 45 days of submittal to each house. Therefore, the entire Congressional consideration can take no longer than 90 days. Though Fast Track legislation is legal, many argue that in a broad sense it is unconstitutional.

Congress enacted Fast Track in the Trade Act of 1974. In 1994, the authority expired when the Republican Congress did not renew it for President Clinton. Under the authority granted to the executive branch of the government, a number of contentious trade agreements were established, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). President Bush made Fast Track an integral part of his campaign platform in 2000. Despite a narrow House vote, the Trade Act of 2002 passed both houses of Congress, reestablishing the authority for the President.

Under the more recent period of Fast Track authority, Congress approved the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement and the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), among others. The Democratic leadership recently reached an historic agreement with the Bush administration that will advance trade deals with Peru , Panama , and Colombia before Fast Track expires. The details of the agreement have not been disclosed but early indications suggest that all three agreements still fall short of the Democrats' promises to protect labor rights and environmental standards.

The Fast Track negotiation authority will expire June 30 th of this year unless Congress votes to renew the legislation. Though few actions have been taken thus far, DJPC – in conjunction with advocacy efforts across the nation – encourages you to contact Senators Allard and Salazar and your House Representative to let them know that you favor sane trade agreements, characterized by Congressional debate, transparent negotiations, and an adherence to human rights standards.

Actions Taken Since March

Contacted Governor Bill Ritter and State Rep. Dorothy Butcher to protest the virtual enslavement of prison inmates as a replacement to a shortage of farm hands due to harsh and hastily written state anti-immigration laws.

Signed on to a letter circulated by the Venezuela Solidarity Emergency Response Network that urged celebrity philanthropist Bono to withdrawal his investment in Pandemic Studios. Pandemic Studios recently released the videogame, “Mercenaries 2,” which depicts the invasion of Venezuela , the overthrow of the government, the destruction of major Venezuelan cities and rural areas, and the takeover of the oil industry.

Urged Colorado Representatives to support H.R.1176, the “Child Citizen Protection Act.” The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996, giving immigration judges discretion in ordering the deportation of alien parents of citizen children. Rep. John Salazar co-sponsored the legislation.

Signed onto a letter against the renewal of “Fast Track,” and to a letter circulated by Padres y Jovenes Unidos in support of the Dream Act.

Urged Colorado Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1707, which calls for the suspension of operations at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in order to investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution. WHINSEC replaced the School of the Americas in 1999. Rep. Diana DeGette co-sponsored the bill.

Contacted the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica and Costa Rican President Arias requesting that they desist from pressuring the Costa Rican Assembly to ratify CAFTA. The repression of opposition was preventing substantive debate on the issue within the Costa Rican Legislature.

Wrote Dr. Santiago Canton, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico requesting that they take measures to ensure that Mexican government conducts a thorough and open investigation into the murder of Santiago Rafael Cruz in Monterrey . Santiago Cruz was a staff field organizer for the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC). The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has granted FLOC's petition for protective measures, obligating the Mexican government provide security to FLOC personnel while in Mexico .

Thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for bowing to international pressure and prohibiting new coalmines and the expansion of existing coalmines in the indigenous territories of the Sierra de Perija. The action set important precedents for the rights of indigenous peoples, environmental protection, and movement away from fossil fuel energy.

A DJPC delegation met with staffers from Senator Salazar's office to discuss concerns regarding Plan Colombia , Guatemala , and trade issues. This was part of an ongoing effort to inform our Congressmen of their constituents' concerns for Latin America and to strengthen DJPC's voice in Congressional offices.

Urged Colorado Representatives to sign onto a letter circulated by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) that called for the extradition of Gen. Efrain Rios Montt to Spain for prosecution of gross human rights violations committed during his dictatorship in Guatemala in the 1980s. Congressman Udall joined 30 other representatives in signing the letter, as well as writing a separate, personalized letter to the Guatemalan Ambassador to the U.S.

Asked that local churches and activists engage in Days of Prayer and Action for Peace in Colombia .