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Stop Fast Track Important Shift by "Pro-Trade" New Democrats in Fast Track Vote December 12, 2001 Analyzing last week's fast track vote, David Broder, nationally syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, notes that, for the first time, "pro-trade" New Democrats voted in large numbers against fast track. The numbers from the west coast, the most trade-dependent region of the country, are especially impressive. Of 20 "pro-trade" west coast New Democrats targeted by the environmental community, 17 voted for the first time against fast track. They did so, Broder explains, because they believe that trade rules increasingly undermine domestic standards that protect the environment and other public interests. As Broder writes, "the reason they give [for opposing fast track] is that trade agreements now go far beyond tariff reduction and involve tradeoffs on intellectual property rights, environmental standards, basic labor laws and other issues of such importance to their constituents that they are reluctant to delegate sweeping authority to any administration to negotiate them away." Read the complete article. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club