Almost $200 Million Donated to Representatives to Pass TPA

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Almost $200 Million Donated to Representatives to Pass TPA

By Paola Casale (http://www.opednews.com/author/author502550.html) (about the author) (http://www.opednews.com/author/author502550.html) Permalink (http://www.opednews.com/articles/Almost-200-Million-Donate-by-Paola-Casale-Banking_Congress_Control_Corporations-150620-523.html) (Page 1 of 1 pages)

Many think our government is for sale. However, by taking a look at the facts below provided by the Open Secrets (http://maplight.org/us-congress/bill/114-hr-1314/6832028/total-contributions?sort=asc&order=$+From+Interest+Groupsbr+/That+Supported&party[D]=D&party[R]=R&party[I]=I&vote[AYE]=AYE&vote[NOE]=NOE&vote[NV]=NV&voted_with[with]=with&voted_with[not-with]=not-with&state=&custom_from=10/01/2012&custom_to=09/30/2014&all_pols=1&uid=53150&interests-support=K1000-F2100-F1100-F3100-F5100-F3300-D2000-H4300-J1100-J1200-C4100-T5100-M2300-G2900-E1620-E1600-A1000-F3200-B1000-F1400-E1110-M1000-F3400-C5120-H4100-F2300-E1100-C5140-G4300-T7100-E1140-A3000-A2000-E1150-A5000-G4500-C2100-C1100-A4000-A1300-T2310-G2100-C5110-G2400-T6200-T2100-G2820-M2100-C5130-C4300-A1400-C2000-F5000-H4500-G2600-M5000-B6000-G5210-C5000-A2300-G4000-A1500-G1000-T1200-C5100-A1600-G5000-A5200-C2400-A4200-G2300-G5290-A4100-M3300-M1500-G1200-M8000-H2000-M1300-C2600-B5200-M3100-G4100-G4600-E1220-H4000-C4600-M2400-G4800-C0000-M9000-T9000-C1300-H4600-A3100-G2200-X5000-G1100-A4300-E4100-C4000-T8300-M2200-T6000-A0000-M0000-M1600-T2000-G5280-M4200-M3200-T2400-G4400-M3600-T7000-M4300-M3000-M3500-T1000-M1700-G3500-G1300-J4000-E1230-G1400-M2250-X3300-A6500&interests-oppose=J1100-J1200-L1300-L1500-J7400-C5120-C5140-LM100-JE300-H1700-L1200-LT000-LT300-L1100-LG100-LC100-A6000-LM150-J7300-LG000-X7000-J7200-JH100-J7000-L0000-J3000-JI200&from=10-01-2012&to=09-30-2014&source=pacs-nonpacs&campaign=congressional&politicians=), it is easy to understand where they are coming from. Looking back at Friday the 12th, the House voted on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the controversial bill that gives power to the executive branch to negotiate treaties. TPA limit's Congress' ability to better a trade deal by subjecting members of Congress to 90 days of reviewing the trade agreement, prohibiting any amendments on the implementing legislation, and giving them an up or down vote.

TPA passed with a mere 219-211 vote with only 218 needed to pass. The real shocker comes from the amount of money each Representative received for a yes vote. In total, $197,869,145 was given to Representatives for a yes vote where as $23,065,231 was given in opposition.


John Boehner (R-OH) received $5.3 million for a "yea" vote and was the highest paid legislator.
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) received $2.4 million for his "yea" vote.
Paul Ryan (R-WI) received $2.4 million for a "yea" vote and came in at the third highest paid legislator.
Pat Tiberi (R-OH) follows Paul Ryan, coming in the fourth spot having received $1.6 million for his "yea" vote.

The fifth highest paid legislator is somewhat of a "hero" in comparison to others. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) received $1.6 million for a yes vote and only $282,710 for a no vote. Despite of his high contribution from those in favor of TPA, he still voted a solid nay.

We also have other hero stories.


Joe Crowley (D-NY) received 1.3 million for a "yea" vote and only $72,550 for a "nay" vote and he still voted against TPA.
Patrick Murphy (D-FL) received 1.1 million for a "yea" vote and only $213,360 for a "nay" vote and still voted against it.
Richard Neal D(MA) received $1.1 million for a "yea" vote and a mere $47,625 for a "nay" vote and still voted against it.

Democrats are not the only heroes in this voting session. GOP members spoke very loud and clear.


Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) received $541,746 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay!"
Andy Harris (R-MD) received $254,803 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay".
Thomas Massie (R-KY) received $250,328 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay" vote and he still voted "nay."
Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) received $180,832 for a "yea" vote and no money at all for a "nay vote" and she still voted "nay."

Where did this kind of money come from? Those in favor of TPA were Security Brokers and Investment Companies (http://maplight.org/us-congress/bill/114-hr-1314/6832028/total-contributions.table?sort=asc&order=$%20From%20Interest%20Groupsbr%20/That%20Supported&party[D]=D&party[R]=R&party[I]=I&vote[AYE]=AYE&vote[NOE]=NOE&vote[NV]=NV&voted_with[with]=with&voted_with[not-with]=not-with&state=&custom_from=10/01/2012&custom_to=09/30/2014&all_pols=1&uid=53150&interests-support=F2100&interests-oppose=&from=10-01-2012&to=09-30-2014&source=pacs-nonpacs&campaign=congressional&politicians=) who donated a whopping $11.3 million dollars for a "yea" vote. Or big banking companies (http://maplight.org/us-congress/bill/114-hr-1314/6832028/total-contributions.table?sort=asc&order=$%20From%20Interest%20Groupsbr%20/That%20Supported&party[D]=D&party[R]=R&party[I]=I&vote[AYE]=AYE&vote[NOE]=NOE&vote[NV]=NV&voted_with[with]=with&voted_with[not-with]=not-with&state=&custom_from=10/01/2012&custom_to=09/30/2014&all_pols=1&uid=53150&interests-support=F1100&interests-oppose=&from=10-01-2012&to=09-30-2014&source=pacs-nonpacs&campaign=congressional&politicians=) who donated $10.1 million dollars. In other words, Wall Street hashed out millions and millions of dollars to push for the passage of TPA.

Those numbers are absolutely staggering. Corporations are taking control of what policies are approved or blocked in the U.S. We cannot sit around while corporations decide what is "good" for America or not! This is a democracy, not a plutocracy! Contact your representatives and let them know that you do not want them to vote in favor of TPA!

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Here are the contributions and how they voted. link (http://maplight.org/us-congress/bill/114-hr-1314/6832028/contributions-by-vote?sort=desc&order=Vote&party[D]=D&party[R]=R&party[I]=I&vote[AYE]=AYE&vote[NOE]=NOE&vote[NV]=NV&voted_with[with]=with&voted_with[not-with]=not-with&state=&custom_from=10%2F01%2F2012&custom_to=09%2F30%2F2014&all_pols=1&uid=53150&interests-support=K1000-F2100-F1100-F3100-F5100-F3300-D2000-H4300-J1100-J1200-C4100-T5100-M2300-G2900-E1620-E1600-A1000-F3200-B1000-F1400-E1110-M1000-F3400-C5120-H4100-F2300-E1100-C5140-G4300-T7100-E1140-A3000-A2000-E1150-A5000-G4500-C2100-C1100-A4000-A1300-T2310-G2100-C5110-G2400-T6200-T2100-G2820-M2100-C5130-C4300-A1400-C2000-F5000-H4500-G2600-M5000-B6000-G5210-C5000-A2300-G4000-A1500-G1000-T1200-C5100-A1600-G5000-A5200-C2400-A4200-G2300-G5290-A4100-M3300-M1500-G1200-M8000-H2000-M1300-C2600-B5200-M3100-G4100-G4600-E1220-H4000-C4600-M2400-G4800-C0000-M9000-T9000-C1300-H4600-A3100-G2200-X5000-G1100-A4300-E4100-C4000-T8300-M2200-T6000-A0000-M0000-M1600-T2000-G5280-M4200-M3200-T2400-G4400-M3600-T7000-M4300-M3000-M3500-T1000-M1700-G3500-G1300-J4000-E1230-G1400-M2250-X3300-A6500&interests-oppose=J1100-J1200-L1300-L1500-J7400-C5120-C5140-LM100-JE300-H1700-L1200-LT000-LT300-L1100-LG100-LC100-A6000-LM150-J7300-LG000-X7000-J7200-JH100-J7000-L0000-J3000-JI200&from=10-01-2012&to=09-30-2014&source=pacs-nonpacs&campaign=congressional&politicians=)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnC1mqyAXmw

[Serpo]

So this is democracy.................

[Ares]

So this is democracy.................

In essence yes. That's why they don't call it a Republic anymore. The Republic died the day the South left, and the North had empire ambitions. So "democracy" is for sale to the highest bidder, and last week the highest bidder was American and global corporations.

[General of Darkness]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnC1mqyAXmw

Well that video is nice and all, but it's already happened. Looks like I'm getting out at the right time, and if Greece helps to drop the Euro that's even better. Some of you might consider your options.

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'Blind agreement' and closed-door deals: Report slams TPP negotiations

With sign-off on the Trans-Pacific Partnership edging closer and critics warning the deal could "attack internet freedoms," a Parliamentary review has slammed the negotiating process for a lack of oversight.

As a trade deal between Australia and its allies edges closer towards completion, leading critics to warn of an impending "attack [on] internet freedoms," a parliamentary committee has slammed the deal-making process saying it lacks adequate "oversight and scrutiny."
The comments come as Australia engages in closed-door negotiations with 11 other countries over the Trans-Pacific Partnership -- a trade agreement that could change the copyright and piracy landscape in Australia and have major ramifications for the way Australians access online content.

A joint-Parliamentary report on the TPP and other trade deals has declaimed that "not is all right with the current process" and that politicians and key stakeholders are being "kept in the dark" on the negotiation process.

Related Reading


All you need to know about the TPP (http://www.cnet.com/au/news/digital-rights-and-the-tpp-the-big-trade-off/)
'TPP protects big rights holders': Greens (http://www.cnet.com/au/news/tpp-protects-big-rights-holders-not-consumers-senator-ludlam/)
Australia to support geo-blocking in TPP (http://www.cnet.com/au/news/australia-to-support-geo-blocking-as-part-of-trans-pacific-partnership-deal/)


The "Blind Agreement" report (http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/Treaty-making_process/Report) warns that under the current system, "Parliament is faced with an all-or-nothing choice" on whether or not to approve trade agreements and can only officially review trade laws once they've officially passed.

"This does not provide an adequate level of oversight and scrutiny," the report reads. "Parliament should play a constructive role during negotiations and not merely rubber-stamp agreements that have been negotiated behind closed doors."



The Committee, comprised of three Labor Senators, two Liberal Senators and one Senator from the Greens, made a series of 10 recommendations for reform. However, a "dissenting report" appended to the text noted these Coalition Senators "disagree with all of the findings and recommendations of the majority report" and that "Australia's treaty-making system works well."

http://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2014/10/29/3cd51644-42ac-4861-8e6f-abc99291751c/resize/370xauto/eaf4ad576f4b59d28895c6f74b82612b/wikileakstppcartoon.jpg

Wikileaks has leaked a number of reported chapters of the TPP. Wikileaks The full text of the TPP has not been made public, with only select unverified chapters surfacing through Wikileaks, including a chapter covering intellectual property and copyright (https://wikileaks.org/tpp/).

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, also a member of the committee that drafted the Blind Agreement report, has heavily criticised the secrecy of TPP negotiations (http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/campaigns/tpp) saying this IP chapter alone has the power to "attack internet freedoms and criminalise downloading."
"We know from other leaks the TPP covers everything from giving America the right to put Australian Internet users under surveillance, to giving multinational companies the rights to sue governments for the laws they make," said Senator Ludlam.

"Secrecy is no way to trade. We need to know what the government is preparing to trade away in our names."

Australia's Productivity Commission has also warned the TPP could bring a further tightening of digital freedoms, giving rights holders the power to increase 'technical protection measures' (http://www.zdnet.com/article/productivity-commission-slams-tpp-for-stringent-ip-measures/) such as geo-blocks or digital rights management (DRM) protections on content.
Parliament should play a constructive role during negotiations and not merely rubber-stamp agreements that have been negotiated behind closed doors.'Blind Agreement' Report

But it's not just Australian politicians who have criticised the negotiation process into question, with US Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer recently taking to floor of the US Senate (https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/05/12/can-read-notes-life-top-democratic-senator-blasts-obamas-tpp-secrecy/) to explain the convoluted steps she needed to take to view the text of the massive trade agreement.

"Follow this: You can only take a few of your staffers who happen to have a security clearance, because, God knows why, this is secure, this is classified," she said.

"The guard says...'You can take notes, but you have to give them back to me, and I'll put them in a file.' So I said: 'Wait a minute. I'm going to take notes and then you're going to take my notes away from me and then you're going to have them in a file, and you can read my notes? Not on your life.'"

Despite concerns over transparency stateside, the US Senate last week voted to give President Barack Obama the power to "fast track" the TPP (http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/24/barack-obama-fast-track-trade-deal-tpp-senate). This grants the President authority to put a final draft of the TPP before Congress for a 'yes-or-no' vote, but Congress will not have power to amend any part of the trade agreement.

Secrecy is no way to trade. We need to know what the government is preparing to trade away in our names.Greens Senator Scott Ludlam

Back at home, this kind of "all-or-nothing" approval was a key point of contention raised in the joint-Parliamentary report on the TPP.

But while the committee examining Australia's deal-making future has called for reform on this front, amongst a total of 10 recommendations, the TPP marches closer to completion with Federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb (http://www.afr.com/news/economy/trade/tpp-has-real-problems-says-andrew-robb-20150616-ghproz) saying less than a fortnight ago, "We are literally one week of negotiation away from completing this extraordinary deal."