Democrats, union members oppose trade measure; Ryan supports it

Flanked by union members and retirees, State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, discusses his opposition to the trade promotion authority bill – also known as “fast track” – Thursday morning outside the former Jacobsen-Textron building, 1769 S. Memorial Drive. The bill, which is being pushed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would set rules for how trade agreements move through Congress and comes ahead of a major trade deal with Pacific nations.


http://journaltimes.com/news/local/democrats-union-members-oppose-trade-measure-ryan-supports-it/article_140c4873-bc51-57ed-a18a-be3740a2550b.html

13 hours ago • MARK SCHAAF mark.schaaf@journaltimes.com

RACINE — One of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s main priorities for the year faces resistance from some within his own district.

In front of the former Jacobsen-Textron building, a group led by state Rep. Cory Mason on Thursday called on Ryan to end his push for trade legislation they argue would result in job losses like those seen at Jacobsen-Textron, a former manufacturer at 1769 S. Memorial Drive that closed in 2001 and laid off hundreds of workers.

Ryan has been one of the driving forces behind trade promotion authority, a bill which sets rules for how trade agreements move through Congress and generally allows the president to move more quickly on deals.

Under TPA, also known as fast-track, trade agreements would get an up-or-down vote in Congress, with no amendments possible. President Barack Obama has said TPA is necessary to complete a major trade deal with 12 Pacific nations called the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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