The TRADE Act
H.R. 3012 – TRADE Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives for 2009-2010 – see our press release, coverage at Eyes On Trade, and video from the press conference
Learn more:
- Our One Stop Fact Sheet for Activists on the TRADE Act (PDF)
- The final House legislation (PDF)
- List of TRADE Act cosponsors (PDF)
- Media coverage of the TRADE Act
- “A New Day On Trade” – sign-on letter from 350+ U.S. civil society organizations supporting the TRADE Act and more
The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act outlined a way forward to a new trade and globalization agenda that could benefit more Americans. The bill was re-introduced for the 2009-2010 Congressional session on June 24 by Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) with 106 original cosponsors, including nine committee chairs and representation from the entire range of Democratic caucuses and classes. The fact that nearly half of the House Democrats supported this legislation from the start sends a clear signal to the Obama administration that only the strong, specific trade reform agenda of the TRADE Act will gain support in Congress.
The TRADE Act is supported by a broad array of labor, consumer, environmental, family farm and faith groups, and requires a review of existing trade pacts, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other major pacts, as well as setting forth what must and must not be included in future trade pacts. It also provides for the renegotiation of existing trade agreements and describes the key elements of a new trade negotiating and approval mechanism to replace Fast Track that would enhance Congress’ role in the formative aspects of agreements and promote future deals that could enjoy broad support among the American public.