Republicans Candidates Split on Giving Obama Fast Track Authority on TPP

Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul have a lot of common ground, but the presidential hopefuls have come down on opposing sides over the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. Here’s what you need to know about each candidate’s position.

The debate is over whether or not to allow president Obama to fast track the TPP agreement. Fast tracking would limit congress to an up or down vote, preventing them from holding debate on specific parts of the agreement.

For Rand Paul, this is a problem.

“I still might vote for the trade agreement, but I hate giving up power. We give up so much power from Congress to the presidency, and with them being so secretive on the treaty, it just concerns me what’s in the treaty,” Paul said, explaining his ‘no’ vote on fast tracking the TPP.

Paul told WMUR that the Obama administration was keeping the agreement “under lock and key.”

However, according to Matthew McAlvanah, spokesperson for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the TTP negotiation text has been available for lawmakers to read since 2012. It is unclear at this time if the text of the negotiation contains the entire agreement.

Ted Cruz surprised many with his support of giving the president fast track authority. In a video posted from the United Iowa Freedom Summit in January of this year, Cruz explains his support only by emphasizing his belief in free trade.

Cruz’s sudden trust of President Obama seems contrary to his nature. Has Cruz read the TPP? Even if he has, it seems a gamble to trust the Obama administration. Is there really any harm in having congress debate the agreement? If it is as good as its proponents say, it would have no trouble passing. Considering that the White House has not proven to be a friend of free markets, it would be wise to scrutinize any agreement this president supports.

It is also possible that Paul is trying to have his cake and eat it too. There is a very vocal element on the right that derides any global agreements as an affront to American sovereignty. There’s also the optics of this position and how it reflects on his campaign. Even if Paul supports the agreement, the perception of giving the president the ability to seemingly go around congress may not sit well with many of his ardent constitutionalist followers.

What do you think of the TPP? Is Rand Paul right to hold off support, or is Ted Cruz right to support the president’s efforts?

Update: this afternoon the US Senate blocked an up or down vote on the president’s fast track authority, requiring it to proceed to debate. Republicans all voted to allow debate on the matter.