House votes to approve Fast Track

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve Fast Track trade authority today. After the bill passed with a vote of 218-208 BlueGreen Alliance’s Executive Director Kim Glas was among the first of leaders in the labor and environmental movements to react.

“Passage of this trade legislation in the House today is a step backward for our country, ” Glas said in a statement. “These measures undercut fundamental values we’ve fought long and hard to protect and virtually ensure that future trade deals will send jobs overseas and erode our environmental and health protections.

“We’re deeply disappointed with the members who chose politics and special interests ahead of what’s best for working families, America’s economic future and our environment. We now call upon the Senate to stand firm in rejecting this measure.”

Update, June 18, 3 p.m. –

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued the following statement after passage of Trade Promotion Authority in the House:

“We are at the end of the second quarter and the score is tied 1-1.  We look forward to the third and fourth quarters.

“Workers’ resolve is firmer than ever.  We will fight at every level and in every way to protect American workers and our economy by rejecting Fast Track and this corporate trade deal.”

Photo: AP