Page 25 - SCBJ-201512
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December 2015
Senate warned after the release of the text that Senate Finance Committee
some “unnecessary concessions” will Ranking Member Ron Wyden
Senate Majority Leader Mitch “make it tough to get votes.” Cornyn has (D-OR): Wyden was a key negotiator
McConnell (R-KY): McConnell is taken specific issue with IP protections during the TPA discussions and has
a strong supporter of tobacco farmers, for biologics among other provisions. supported the trade deal. In his statement
which did not fare well in the agreements He, alongside a considerable number of following the finalization of the deal,
investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) his colleagues, has speculated that the Wyden stated that he was “pleased” the
chapter, as the TPP negotiators included agreement is unlikely to come up for a deal touches on currency manipulation,
an exception allowing countries to not vote until after the 2016 elections. addresses labor and human rights, and
have to use ISDS for tobacco industry protects countries who want to enforce
related disputes. After the agreement Senate Republican Conference tobacco regulation, among other issues.
was announced, McConnell noted that Chair John Thune (R-SD): Thune, His support and willingness to rally
“serious concerns have been raised on a like Cornyn, is skeptical TPP will come to fellow-Democratic Senators will be crucial
number of key issues.” Continuing along a vote before the 2016 elections. “It’s going for successful passage of the agreement.
similar lines as Senate Finance Committee to be really hard under the hot flare of
Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), McConnell election year lights to bring up something House
stated that “this deal demands intense that will generate that much controversy,”
scrutiny by Congress… [and] the Senate he has stated. Generally speaking, Thune House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-
will review this agreement to determine if is supportive of TPP, however, like many WI): Ryan was instrumental in getting
it meets the high standards Congress and Senate Republicans, he has expressed TPA legislation passed during his tenure
the American people have demanded.” concern over various provisions (or lack as chairman of the House Ways & Means
More recently, he told the Washington thereof) within the agreement. “It looks Committee. Now Speaker of the House
Post that TPP is unlikely to pass before like on a whole range of issues that we following the departure of John Boehner
the election and that it would be a “big sort of gave up the farm,” said Thune in (R-OH), Ryan has taken a more cautious
mistake” for the administration to force reference to dairy issues. approach on trade stating that he will
a vote before then. He doubled down on “reserve judgment” on whether to endorse
those comments at a Politico Playbook Senate Finance Committee the terms of the trade deal. However, he
Breakfast stating, “If the President wants Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT): has struck a more optimistic tone than
to succeed, he ought to take into account Following the announcement of the deal Senator Majority Leader McConnell on
the reality of the political situation.” on October 5, Hatch expressed displeasure whether Congress can tackle TPP next
with the deal stating, “I am afraid this year noting that “the ambition is right
Senate Majority Whip John deal appears to fall woefully short [of where it ought to be.” This comports
Cornyn (R-TX): Cornyn, who called the high-standard objectives laid out in with Ryan’s recently outlined agenda for
the trade issue a “complex topic” for TPA]”. Noting that he intends to carefully the House in 2016. Modeled around the
examine the agreement, Hatch argued notion of making Americans “confident
Republicans and Democrats alike, that, “The Trans-Pacific Partnership again,” Ryan addressed TPP stating that
supports TPP though he is a once in a lifetime opportunity and while Congress must “make sure it is a
the United States should not settle for fair deal…only an active, forward-learning
a mediocre deal that fails to set high- American can tear down barriers to
standard trade rules in the Asia-Pacific American exports.”
region for years to come.”
23
Senate warned after the release of the text that Senate Finance Committee
some “unnecessary concessions” will Ranking Member Ron Wyden
Senate Majority Leader Mitch “make it tough to get votes.” Cornyn has (D-OR): Wyden was a key negotiator
McConnell (R-KY): McConnell is taken specific issue with IP protections during the TPA discussions and has
a strong supporter of tobacco farmers, for biologics among other provisions. supported the trade deal. In his statement
which did not fare well in the agreements He, alongside a considerable number of following the finalization of the deal,
investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) his colleagues, has speculated that the Wyden stated that he was “pleased” the
chapter, as the TPP negotiators included agreement is unlikely to come up for a deal touches on currency manipulation,
an exception allowing countries to not vote until after the 2016 elections. addresses labor and human rights, and
have to use ISDS for tobacco industry protects countries who want to enforce
related disputes. After the agreement Senate Republican Conference tobacco regulation, among other issues.
was announced, McConnell noted that Chair John Thune (R-SD): Thune, His support and willingness to rally
“serious concerns have been raised on a like Cornyn, is skeptical TPP will come to fellow-Democratic Senators will be crucial
number of key issues.” Continuing along a vote before the 2016 elections. “It’s going for successful passage of the agreement.
similar lines as Senate Finance Committee to be really hard under the hot flare of
Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), McConnell election year lights to bring up something House
stated that “this deal demands intense that will generate that much controversy,”
scrutiny by Congress… [and] the Senate he has stated. Generally speaking, Thune House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-
will review this agreement to determine if is supportive of TPP, however, like many WI): Ryan was instrumental in getting
it meets the high standards Congress and Senate Republicans, he has expressed TPA legislation passed during his tenure
the American people have demanded.” concern over various provisions (or lack as chairman of the House Ways & Means
More recently, he told the Washington thereof) within the agreement. “It looks Committee. Now Speaker of the House
Post that TPP is unlikely to pass before like on a whole range of issues that we following the departure of John Boehner
the election and that it would be a “big sort of gave up the farm,” said Thune in (R-OH), Ryan has taken a more cautious
mistake” for the administration to force reference to dairy issues. approach on trade stating that he will
a vote before then. He doubled down on “reserve judgment” on whether to endorse
those comments at a Politico Playbook Senate Finance Committee the terms of the trade deal. However, he
Breakfast stating, “If the President wants Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT): has struck a more optimistic tone than
to succeed, he ought to take into account Following the announcement of the deal Senator Majority Leader McConnell on
the reality of the political situation.” on October 5, Hatch expressed displeasure whether Congress can tackle TPP next
with the deal stating, “I am afraid this year noting that “the ambition is right
Senate Majority Whip John deal appears to fall woefully short [of where it ought to be.” This comports
Cornyn (R-TX): Cornyn, who called the high-standard objectives laid out in with Ryan’s recently outlined agenda for
the trade issue a “complex topic” for TPA]”. Noting that he intends to carefully the House in 2016. Modeled around the
examine the agreement, Hatch argued notion of making Americans “confident
Republicans and Democrats alike, that, “The Trans-Pacific Partnership again,” Ryan addressed TPP stating that
supports TPP though he is a once in a lifetime opportunity and while Congress must “make sure it is a
the United States should not settle for fair deal…only an active, forward-learning
a mediocre deal that fails to set high- American can tear down barriers to
standard trade rules in the Asia-Pacific American exports.”
region for years to come.”
23
