What is Fast Track/Trade Promotion Authority?

The United States Constitution gives Congress authority over setting the terms of international commerce and it gives the Executive branch authority to negotiate with foreign nations. Obviously, for this to work requires cooperation between the two branches. Under Fast Track authority, the administration is granted by Congress the authority to negotiate trade agreements, draft implementing legislation to change laws, and to sign international trade agreements. http://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/trade-promotion-authority

Congress, under Fast Track, is limited to 20  hours of debate and an up or down vote on the final agreement with no amendments allowed. Fast Track Authority has been around since 1974. The last one granted by Congress expired in 2007. At this time, the Executive Branch does NOT have Fast Track Authority.

Two Congressmen,  Rep. David Camp (R) MI who was House Ways and Means chair and Sen. Max Baucus (D) MT who was Finance chair introduced legislation to revive Fast Track mechanism in January of 2014.  http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/trade-policies/fast-tracktrade-promotion-authority-tpa/

Here is a brief history of Fast Track:  http://clinton2.nara.gov/Initiatives/FastTrack/history.html If you keep an open mind, you will see that granting this authority is NOT the END OF DEMOCRACY as some would have you believe. It has been done for decades. Congress has extended it to many presidents. Don't fall for the HYPE! Other presidents have been trusted with this authority, but, now the media hype is going to all extremes to suggest it is the end of the world as we know it to grant it to President Obama.

As you can see, there are many reasons for Congress to grant a President Fast Track Authority. Just remember that Congress ultimately has the decision power and can affirm or reject ANY trade agreement negotiated by the Executive Branch. More to come on Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.