We support responsible trade between the United States and other countries, but the failed NAFTA model has not worked, has not met past promises, and has not served a majority of people across our country, or the world. The price we’ve paid under so-called “free trade” in job loss, wage decline, environmental damage and other societal harm is far too great.
The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act articulates what we are for in trade agreements, shutting down the bogus claim that opponents of NAFTA, CAFTA, or the Colombia FTA have no alternative vision.
The TRADE Act maps out a better way to move goods and services across borders. This legislation marks out a blueprint for how we can fix existing agreements. It shifts the discussion towards better rules, setting out a policy marker for the future. It provides a roadmap for where we want to go, what a responsible agreement would look like, and the procedures needed to get us there.
But to move The TRADE Act forward, we need your help!
Please contact your Members of Congress today, and ask them to cosponsor the TRADE Act by signing on as cosponsors.
The CTC coalition of over twenty diverse organizations from the faith, farm, environmental, consumer and labor communities helped develop this legislation and are urging you to endorse it as well. Help us implement a better model for trade by contacting your member of congress today!
Here’s how:
Contact your member of congress by phone.
Call (202) 224-3121 and ask the capitol switchboard operator to connect you to your member’s office. Give them the message to cosponsor the 2008 Trade Act (H.R. 6180). Leave your address, and ask for a response. There’s a sample script below.
Contact your member of congress through a website.
Visit the Change to Win website and fill out the information boxes. Hit send. Your message will be sent to your Senators and Representative.
Contact your member of congress over email.
Visit www.congress.org to find out who represents you. Type in your zip code, click on representative, and hit the “contact” tab on the top right. You will be directed to a website form. Cut and paste the sample message below, and be sure to leave your address and ask for a response letter.
Sample Message
Subject: Please Cosponsor the 2008 TRADE Act (H.R. 6180)
Dear Member of Congress:
I am writing to ask you to cosponsor the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act of 2008. Members of Congress should have more power in deciding when to pass trade agreements.
Like you, I support responsible trade between the United States and countries across the globe, but our current system has not worked, has not met past promises, and has not served the interests of a majority of people in our country or the world.
The price we’ve paid under this so-called “free trade” model in job loss, wage decline, environmental damage and other societal harm is far too great. We must take action now to improve this failed system of trade.
The TRADE Act sets up the framework for what a good trade agreement would look like, and moves us away from the failed NAFTA and CAFTA model. This bill provides a road map for what a responsible agreement should include.
The TRADE Act is backed by over 60 of your colleagues, and by an array of labor, environmental, consumer, faith and family farm organizations.
As a constituent, I strongly urge you to cosponsor the 2008 TRADE Act (H.R. 6180) and ask you to send me a letter confirming that you have done so.
The past model has not worked, and we need a better way.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address