Sen. Sanders stalls committee vote on 'job-killing' trade bill

Nicole Gaudiano | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders used a parliamentary tactic Wednesday to delay a committee meeting on trade legislation that he said would undermine efforts to aid U.S. workers.

The maneuver by Sanders, a Vermont independent who is considering a presidential bid, forced the Senate Finance Committee to postpone work for much of the day on "fast track" legislation that would allow lawmakers to accept or reject international trade deals but wouldn't let them amend the deals.

Sanders and many progressive groups oppose the legislation as an attempt to rush the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership through Congress. The TPP, which the Obama administration is still negotiating, would be the largest free-trade agreement in history.

"This job-killing trade deal has been negotiated in secret," Sanders said in a statement. "It was drafted with input by special interests and corporate lobbyists but not from the elected representatives of the American people. Instead of rubber stamping the agreement, Congress and the public deserve a fair chance to learn what's in the proposal."

Sanders also sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman detailing his concerns about the TPP proposal.

To delay the Finance Committee meeting, Sanders objected Wednesday morning when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky sought consent to waive a rule that bars committees from meeting at certain times while the Senate is in session. Such requests are routine and senators seldom object.

McConnell said Sanders' actions would only inconvenience the committee, which moved forward with the bill once the Senate recessed for the afternoon.

Sanders said there is "massive opposition" to TPP and he's trying to make sure the public has time to understand its implications.

"Americans should not be forced to compete against desperately poor workers like those in Vietnam who make as little as 56 cents an hour," he said in his statement.

On Wednesday morning, Sanders spoke at a rally for 600 federal contract workers who went on strike to protest low wages. The food-service employees and janitors — who work in the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian facilities and other federal buildings — want the government to give preference to federal contractors who pay employees at least $15 an hour, provide benefits such as paid leave and allow them to collectively bargain.

"Even though I feed the most powerful people in America, I have to use food stamps to feed my children," said Kellie Duckett, 30, a U.S. Capitol contract worker who makes $11.25 an hour.

President Obama signed an executive order last year boosting the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour to $10.10 per hour for new federal contracts. Sanders, drawing cheers at the rally, said that isn't enough to support a family.

"A great nation will not survive, in my view, when so few have so much and so many have so little," he said. "What we need to do is to rebuild the American middle class."