Ryan opposes Obama negotiating trade agreement without Congress

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan said today he opposes giving President Barack Obama, a fellow Democrat, the authority to negotiate a trade agreement without the input of members of Congress because previous trade deals have hurt the national economy.

Obama wants his administration to have the authority to “fast track” a trade agreement, called the Trans Pacific Partnership that removes tariffs on goods and services and reduces regulations among 12 counties, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Australia.

Fast tracking would give the administration sole power to negotiate the deal and “bring it to Congress for an up or down vote without us having the ability to amend the trade deal,” said Ryan of Howland, D-13th.

Ryan added that “this shifts way too much power to the executive branch.”

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