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Oppose H.R. 3005, the Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 A letter from 12 Environmental Groups October 16, 2001 Center for International Environmental Law | Defenders of Wildlife | Earthjustice | Greenpeace | Friends of the Earth | MoveOn.org | National Environmental Trust | National Wildlife Federation | Natural Resources Defense Council | Sierra Club | U.S. Public Interest Research Group | World Wildlife Fund Re: Oppose H.R. 3005, the "Bipartisan" Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of our organizations' millions of members, we urge you to oppose H.R. 3005, the Thomas (R-CA) fast track trade authority bill. We believe now is not the time for Congress to debate such divisive legislation. We also have serious concerns with the bill. We support forward-thinking trade agreements that encourage environmental protection and guard against weakening of environmental standards. H.R. 3005 fails on both counts, and is simply not adequate to address the increasingly complex trade issues facing the United States today. By including only voluntary negotiating objectives on the environment, H.R. 3005 fails to provide sufficient assurances to Congress that the administration will bring back trade and investment agreements that meet congressional negotiating objectives to safeguard the environment and are entitled to expedited fast track treatment. H.R. 3005 also fails to protect environmental and public interest laws from foreign investor lawsuits. The bill would allow future trade agreements to include provisions like NAFTA's Chapter 11. These provisions encourage "regulatory takings" claims by foreign companies, and threaten hard-won laws and regulations that protect our natural resources. H.R. 3005 would do little to reduce the secrecy surrounding these claims, which take place before closed tribunals without public input or scrutiny. In addition, the Thomas bill would take a major step back from key environmental provisions in the Jordan Free Trade Agreement and the NAFTA environmental side agreement. It would do nothing to prevent countries from lowering their environmental standards to gain unfair trade advantages, and fails to actively promote meaningful improvement in environmental protection and cooperation. Moreover, H.R. 3005 would do nothing to protect Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) from trade challenges. At a time when Congress must unite in the fight against terrorism, it is highly inappropriate to take up such divisive legislation. Under the right circumstances, Congress could craft trade negotiating authority that advances environmental stewardship, safeguards our environmental standards, and renews the American public's confidence in trade. H.R. 3005 simply does not meet these standards. Please oppose the Thomas bill, and any other bill that similarly fails to address environmental concerns. Sincerely, Stephen Porter Senior Attorney Center for International Environmental Law Mary Beth Beetham Director of Legislative Affairs Defenders of Wildlife Martin Hayden Legislative Director Earthjustice Sara Zdeb Legislative Representative Friends of the Earth Andrea Durbin National Campaigns Director Greenpeace Peter Schurman Executive Director MoveOn.org Kevin S. Curtis Vice President, Government Affairs National Environmental Trust Jake Caldwell Program Manager, Trade & Environment National Wildlife Federation Alyssondra Campaigne Legislative Director Natural Resources Defense Council Margrete Strand Responsible Trade Program Director Sierra Club Anna Aurilio Legislative Director U.S. PIRG David Schorr Director, Sustainable Commerce Program World Wildlife Fund Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club