CWA: House Members Who Voted for Fast Track Have Misjudged the American People

Washington, D.C. – Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America on today’s House vote on Fast Track:

Those members of the House of Representatives who voted for Fast Track trade authority today have seriously misjudged the voice and will of the American people.

The House leadership used a gimmick to resurrect a bad deal that the House already had overwhelmingly rejected.  Fast Track supporters rejected the voices of millions of Americans, part of a broad coalition of union members and environmentalists, consumer and community activists, seniors, students, people of faith and others who have been telling their representatives for many months that Fast Track is a betrayal of U.S. workers, communities and law. 

This vote will be remembered. Americans know who’s standing with working families and who’s standing with big corporate interests that can’t wait to move jobs to countries like Vietnam, where wages are less than $1 an hour. 

“Our opponents will do anything to advance corporate trade deals. Fast Track faces more hurdles in the Senate and House, all opportunities for us to fight for fair trade and a global economy where worker and citizen rights matter,” said former CWA President Larry Cohen who is leading the coalition against Fast Track.

CWA President Chris Shelton said, “This vote won’t stop us. CWA members, union members and activists from nearly every progressive group are fighting back against this sell-out by some Members of Congress. We expect our representatives to listen to their constituents, and we’re taking that message to the Senate.”