Lujan Grisham Votes Against Fast-Track Trade Authority

Press Release

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today against legislation that would have given the Obama Administration the authority to finalize international trade agreements without input from Congress. The House rejected part of the trade package, which puts the issue in limbo.

"I voted against an attempt to cut Congress out of the trade debate," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "New Mexico workers deserve a voice in these trade deals that have a direct impact on the state's economy. We need to have real oversight, which is impossible when there is no transparency and trade deals are negotiated in secret."

The Administration is negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement, with 11 nations, to make it easier to trade with those nations. Under the fast-track authority package considered by the House today, Congress would not be able to improve the agreement by insisting on stronger labor rights and environmental protections.

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