WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House of Representatives voted down a flawed trade package that would enable the Trans-Pacific Partnership to move forward. The original measure was passed by the U.S. Senate in May. Pride at Work Executive Director, Jerame Davis, issued the following statement:
"We have said repeatedly that this deal is bad for all Americans, LGBT and otherwise, and we are pleased the House has voted overwhelmingly that they agree - at least in part. The vote today is a clear message that bad trade deals that will ship jobs overseas, pollute our air and water, and reward regressive human rights abusers are not palatable to the American people. It is further proof that when we stand together united in purpose and action the money and influence of multi-national corporations can be overcome.
"Pride at Work remains vigilant — pro-Fast Track forces are already hard at work on an alternative measure with a vote possible as soon as next week — but for now, we can be proud of the hard work and solidarity opposition to this bill generated."
Pride at Work is the official constituency group of LGBT union members and allies fighting for workplace equality for LGBT workers. info@prideatwork.org .
From The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
Washington, DC, June 12, 2015—Today, the House of Representatives failed to pass legislation that would fast-track the Administration's negotiations over the Trans Pacific Partnership ( TPP ) free trade agreement. Leading up to the vote, the National LGBTQ Task Force expressed its concerns with the TPP by issuing joint letters to members of Congress, collaborating on full-page ads, participating in press events, and articulating its position to lawmakers.
"Thank you Congress for standing up for transparency and continued dialogue on the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. The TPP poses a real threat to good paying US-based jobs, access to affordable life-saving medicine including HIV treatment, and the work to advance freedom, justice, and equality for LGBTQ people.
"Among our concerns with the TPP is opening up business with governments that have egregious laws criminalizing LGBTQ people. The TPP calls for doing business with countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, where anyone perceived to be LGBTQ faces the threat of imprisonment, or Brunei, where LGBTQ people can be sentenced to death simply because of who they are.
"We are also concerned about how the trade agreement would affect the US workforce—millions of good paying jobs could be lost and relocated in countries with a track record of human rights violations. Additionally, PhRMA member companies could refuse to provide affordable generic versions of HIV medication to people living with HIV in economically disadvantaged communities abroad. This trade agreement would be a huge step backwards in the fight to eradicate HIV/AIDS and the work toward full equality for LGBTQ people," said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director.
The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund works to secure full freedom, justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( LGBTQ ) people. For over forty years, we have been at the forefront of the social justice movement by training thousands of organizers and advocating for change at the federal, state, and local level. www.taskforceactionfund.org
