Both Republicans and the populist left is in overdrive trying to stop Congress from passing Trade Promotion Authority, or "fast track," legislation, which would be a precursor to approving the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The left sees the legislation as a sweetheart deal for multinational corporations at the expense of American workers. How are the corporate lobbies responding?
Apparently by targeting 6-year olds.
With the legislation pending on the Senate floor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce decided to produce an ad reminiscent of Schoolhouse Rock… minus the rock.
The ad glosses past the controversial aspects of TPA, namely, that it would take away the ability to for Congress to amend or filibuster any trade agreement. The Chamber was not factually wrong to argue that TPA would bring Congress and the White House closer together; it just ignores that critics want to see Congress function independently of the White House and give the congressional minority more power to put its own stamp on trade deals.
The political ad continues to simplify the basic elements of the bill, making Congress appear to retain great influence, saying it "requires the administration's negotiators to check-in frequently with Congress and the American public. Plus, Congress has the final say on any trade agreement with an up-or-down vote." In case the message isn't clear, the smiling Capitol Building is holding a phone to its ear.
The President's critics within his party have complained that his team has been "condescending" when pressing members of Congress to support his trade agenda.
We're guessing this cartoon explanation isn't going to smooth over their ruffled feathers.
Apparently by targeting 6-year olds.
With the legislation pending on the Senate floor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce decided to produce an ad reminiscent of Schoolhouse Rock… minus the rock.
I'm Just a Trade Promotion Authority Bill
In "What Is Trade Promotion Authority?" we are offered a cartoon "TPA" bill reaching its arms around an anthropomorphic Capitol Building and White House, while a narrator explains: "TPA is based on the commonsense idea that Congress and the White House should work together on trade agreements. Whoa! Imagine that!"The ad glosses past the controversial aspects of TPA, namely, that it would take away the ability to for Congress to amend or filibuster any trade agreement. The Chamber was not factually wrong to argue that TPA would bring Congress and the White House closer together; it just ignores that critics want to see Congress function independently of the White House and give the congressional minority more power to put its own stamp on trade deals.
FDR or Regis Philbin?
In further trying to argue that TPA is a non-controversial idea, the narrator says "TPA has been around for 80 years," as we see another cartoon of a TPA bill with who is supposed to be FDR, but looks much more like Regis Philbin. (Critics argues that modern fast track legislation only dates back to the Nixon era, and has been revoked under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush)The political ad continues to simplify the basic elements of the bill, making Congress appear to retain great influence, saying it "requires the administration's negotiators to check-in frequently with Congress and the American public. Plus, Congress has the final say on any trade agreement with an up-or-down vote." In case the message isn't clear, the smiling Capitol Building is holding a phone to its ear.
The President's critics within his party have complained that his team has been "condescending" when pressing members of Congress to support his trade agenda.
We're guessing this cartoon explanation isn't going to smooth over their ruffled feathers.