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Replacing Fast Track: America Needs a New Trade Authority Mechanism

By Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch

Replacing Fast Track: America Needs a New Trade Authority Mechanism

On January 9, 2014 legislation was introduced to revive the controversial Fast Track trade authority mechanism. “Fast Track” is not synonymous with “trade authority.” Rather, it is one form of trade authority among many different varieties that Congress has developed over the years.

  • The Camp-Baucus bill (HR 3830/S 1900) replicates the broad delegation mechanism of the 2002 Fast Track. Democratic and GOP presidents alike have struggled to convince Congress to provide Fast Track, which delegates away key congressional authorities. Fast Track has only been in effect for five of the past 20 years – from 2002-2007.