WASHINGTON — A Democratic congressman sent a letter Tuesday that reveals how the Obama administration denied his requests to view closely held U.S. trade deals.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s (D-Texas) letter, sent to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman and obtained by The Huffington Post, provides insight into an ongoing transparency debate about the Obama administration’s trade agreements. President Barack Obama is pushing for Congress to give him the authority to “fast-track” international trade deals without the opportunity for lawmakers to submit amendments.
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Doggett has nonetheless continued to raise his concerns among the Democratic caucus. On Friday, he wrote a “dear colleague” letter that reads, “We need a synergy of Members, who are knowledgeable about particular subjects, and full access to what is proposed in order to cast an intelligent vote.”
