Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters at an election rally in Irvine, California, on May 22, 2016. | Getty Clinton, Sanders delegates demand stronger anti-TPP language in platform

Democratic National Committee delegates aligned with both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders have signed letters calling for stronger language opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership be included in the 2016 Democratic Party Platform.

The letters, obtained by POLITICO, come from delegates in Connecticut, Ohio, and New Jersey. They were sent out on Thursday and Friday ahead of the full Democratic National Committee's platform meeting in Orlando, where the 187 members will vote on the draft of the platform that then goes to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia for final approval.


Both Sanders and Clinton oppose the deal in its current form. Sanders, earlier in the week, released language of the amendment he wants inserted in the platform that says the TPP shouldn't be brought up for a vote in the current or future Congresses.

The letters, to Platform Committee co-chairs Dannel Malloy, the governor of Connecticut, and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, reiterate the need for strengthening language opposing TPP in the platform.

"It must make clear that we oppose the TPP because if its failure to meet the high standards we believe should be enshrined in our trade agreements. We must address head on those who would say they are for fair trade when in reality they would do great damage to the working people we represent," the New Jersey letter to the co-chairs reads.

The number of signatories on the letters vary. Fifty-six signed the New Jersey letter, 26 from Ohio, and nine in Connecticut. They are made up of both Clinton and Sanders delegates.

Prominent names on the letters include New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone a Clinton supporter, Cornel West, a Sanders supporter, and Dayton, Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley, a Clinton delegate.

