Texas Senator and GOP presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)96%
argued Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) "is not giving the president more authority" and that Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)80%
is "not accurate" in some of his claims regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Friday's broadcast of "The Kuhner Report" on Boston's WRKO.

Cruz argued that he had been the staunchest opponent of President Barack Obama in Congress. He then separated TPA (Trade Promotion Authority) and the TPP (the Trans-Pacific Partnership). He touched on TPA first, stating that "history has demonstrated, the only way to get a trade agreement adopted is with fast-track. Since FDR, consistently, for 80 years, presidents in both parties have had fast-track. Anytime fast-track has lapsed, trade agreements don't get negotiated." He later added that it was a "misunderstanding" to say TPA gave away the Senate's treaty power. Cruz stated that "Under the Constitution, there are two ways to make binding law. Number one, you can pass a treaty ratified by 2/3ds of the Senate. Or number two, you can pass legislation passed by a majority of both of houses of Congress and signed by the president. ... TPA uses the second constitutional path." And "it's been long recognized that the Constitution's Origination Clause applies to trade bills, which means the House of Representatives has to be involved. There's a reason why trade bills have historically not been done as treaties, because the Constitution says that anything concerning the raising of revenues, and trade bills concern tariffs, which are the raising of revenues, has to originate in the House of Representatives. So, the process of approving a trade agreement through both houses of Congress has been the way it has been done for roughly a century. And it is not giving the president more authority."

Regarding TPP, Cruz said he was undecided because there was no "actual agreement" regarding TPP. He later blasted classification of the text of TPP as "idiotic." He continued that claims made by Senator Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)80%
were "not accurate...this trade agreement, now, at least the current draft...does not impact, change, alter, or effect US immigration law. There is a brief section in the TPP that concerns issues of immigration, but explicitly, the United States doesn't join that section." He further pointed to his amendment to prevent trade agreements from impacting immigration that the House agreed to include. Cruz continued, "Beyond that, the notion of giving up sovereignty and an international body that can alter US law, Jeff, I have spent 20 years fighting to defend United States sovereignty. There is no one in the Senate who has been a stronger opponent of international bodies taking away our authority. ... And it is simply false that the TPP trade agreement gives up our sovereignty. There is nothing in TPA or TPP that can give a foreign body the ability to make binding law in the United States of America under our Constitution." Although, he stated that it was natural and understandable people would be suspicious of a secret agreement.

http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/06/12/cruz-tpa-doesnt-give-obama-more-power-sessions-on-not-accurate-on-tpp/

Guess we'll find out what's in it after its been passed.

Quote from: red_dirt on June 13, 2015, 08:27:40 AM
Guess we'll find out what's in it after its been passed.

If there is nothing in this bill which harms the US and it's sovereignty it would not be classified and hidden away inn the basement of the Capitol, no copies being allowed, and each Congress member must read it in situ and only one staff member allowed.   If it were on the up and up there would be no such secrecy.  I would not trust Obama to walk my dog.  He might eat it.

Quote from: Charliemyboy on June 13, 2015, 09:51:37 AM
If there is nothing in this bill which harms the US and it's sovereignty it would not be classified and hidden away inn the basement of the Capitol, no copies being allowed, and each Congress member must read it in situ and only one staff member allowed.   If it were on the up and up there would be no such secrecy.  I would not trust Obama to walk my dog.  He might eat it.

I agree that there is something wrong with this bill.  They are hiding something from us and it stinks!

Our Founders gave this government to the people, but how can the people be in control when everything is hidden from us?  We cannot!   We must KNOW what is being proposed...... in detail.

Obviously they believe we would revolt if we knew!

It is suggested today that the TTIP Bill allows Obama everything he wants in immigration, virtually assuring his transformation will be eternal.
What was not done was provide a quote or read from the bill. So, that could be fear mongering. On the other hand, if its true, it explains a lot.

Quote from: red_dirt on June 13, 2015, 12:59:40 PM
It is suggested today that the TTIP Bill allows Obama everything he wants in immigration, virtually assuring his transformation will be eternal.
What was not done was provide a quote or read from the bill. So, that could be fear mongering. On the other hand, if its true, it explains a lot.

It would explain things alright..... except for Cruz's support!!!   

Quote from: kroz on June 13, 2015, 01:06:18 PM
It would explain things alright..... except for Cruz's support!!!   

Quote"As a Republican, free trade would be a great concept, but the folks back home have absolutely no faith and confidence in this president," Representative Blake Farenthold of Texas told reporters Thursday

.
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/obama-needs-100-votes/2015/06/12/id/650326/#ixzz3cyUj6l00

Quote from: redbeard on June 13, 2015, 01:08:50 PM
.
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/obama-needs-100-votes/2015/06/12/id/650326/#ixzz3cyUj6l00

It is true that the folks back home have no faith or confidence in Obama..... but why would Cruz?

.... especially if this would include a form of amnesty?

Quote from: kroz on June 13, 2015, 01:30:32 PM
It is true that the folks back home have no faith or confidence in Obama..... but why would Cruz?

.... especially if this would include a form of amnesty?

Maybe the better Question is why isn't Cruz listening to his constituency as the congressmen in the house appear to be!

Quote from: redbeard on June 13, 2015, 01:37:17 PM
Maybe the better Question is why isn't Cruz listening to his constituency as the congressmen in the house appear to be!

That is indeed the question!!  This is the FIRST for Ted ...... to be at odds with constituents!

That is what has me very confused.  This is very uncharacteristic for Ted.  I keep thinking that I am failing to see something important.  But if I cannot see the bill, I have no way of knowing for sure.

Quote from: red_dirt on June 13, 2015, 12:59:40 PM
It is suggested today that the TTIP Bill allows Obama everything he wants in immigration, virtually assuring his transformation will be eternal.
What was not done was provide a quote or read from the bill. So, that could be fear mongering. On the other hand, if its true, it explains a lot.

Didn't the House vote that portion down?

Quote from: kroz on June 13, 2015, 01:44:19 PM
That is indeed the question!!  This is the FIRST for Ted ...... to be at odds with constituents!

That is what has me very confused.  This is very uncharacteristic for Ted.  I keep thinking that I am failing to see something important.  But if I cannot see the bill, I have no way of knowing for sure.

Very uncharacteristic for Cruz to be on board with this mess but also for Gowdy and Scott.  I do think that there would be a revolt if we knew the REAL reason for all the secrecy.  Just keep in mind all the theories floating around about the economy and the fall of the dollar not to mention trade agreements being made by other countries with each other.  Doesn't help us that we've had a spend crazy fool in the WH for the last few years and our national debt is choking us.  What could be scaring our congressmen so badly that they would vote to go ahead with legislation that we are not privvy to and at the risk of losing their base because of the secrecy?  Hmmm....

Quote from: kroz on June 13, 2015, 01:44:19 PM
That is indeed the question!!  This is the FIRST for Ted ...... to be at odds with constituents!

That is what has me very confused.  This is very uncharacteristic for Ted.  I keep thinking that I am failing to see something important.  But if I cannot see the bill, I have no way of knowing for sure.

Could he be moderating his positions? I can't understand why anyone would want to give more power to Obama! I am for free trade but I don't trust this president. He has to be kept on a short leash and with this trade bill I can just imagine all the stuff that will be hidden in it from immigration to climate control. Why would we trust the Marxist on anything that could have potentially devastating consciences to American business interest?

Quote from: keyboarder on June 13, 2015, 02:15:39 PM
Very uncharacteristic for Cruz to be on board with this mess but also for Gowdy and Scott.  I do think that there would be a revolt if we knew the REAL reason for all the secrecy.  Just keep in mind all the theories floating around about the economy and the fall of the dollar not to mention trade agreements being made by other countries with each other.  Doesn't help us that we've had a spend crazy fool in the WH for the last few years and our national debt is choking us.  What could be scaring our congressmen so badly that they would vote to go ahead with legislation that we are not privvy to and at the risk of losing their base because of the secrecy?  Hmmm....

Excellent point Key! Do they know something about the economy 99.999% of the world is not privy to?