Why Obamatrade?
Wherever you are on free trade, Senator Jeff Sessions raised a serious objection earlier this week to the Obamatrade bill Congress has been debating this week. Here's what Senator Sessions said:
"Congress won't tell the American people what's in the fast track bill until it's passed and too late to take it back. By the time the fast track bill is passed, Congress will have unilaterally suspended the ability to amend it. This isn't how a republic is supposed to function -- with no consent of the governed."
Senator Sessions is absolutely right. This trade deal is just like Obamacare -- we have no idea what is in it. The American people cannot see it and few members of Congress have read it.
It is classified, literally kept under lock and key on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress who want to read the bill cannot bring staff, must surrender their smartphones and cannot take notes when they leave Obama's chamber of trade secrets.
Even liberals like Senator Elizabeth Warren are demanding that President Obama declassify the text. Obama insists it is a good deal, but we've got to pass fast-track authority before we can find out what is in his Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Why are we doing this? Haven't we had enough of this nonsense?
I do not remember any time in modern American political history where a monstrous piece of legislation was passed and we later found out that there was something really good in it. Instead, the surprises are always lumps of coal.
For example, there are reports that this trade deal may ease visa restrictions for Pakistan. If that is such a good idea, then let's have a debate and a vote on more immigration from Pakistan. Don't try to hide it from the American people.
Obama Drama
There was high drama on Capitol Hill today, and President Obama emerged as the clear loser.
Yesterday, President Obama launched a desperate, last-minute charm offensive to save his trade agenda. He made a surprise visit to Nationals Park to personally lobby House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi. It didn't work.
This morning, Obama rushed to Capitol Hill, hoping to win over members of his party. That didn't work either.
In a rebuke to Obama, the House voted overwhelmingly -- 126-to-302 -- against Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a key component of the entire trade package. In spite of his personal pleas, only 40 Democrats backed TAA.
While the lopsided TAA vote may look like a tremendous defeat for Obama, moments later there was a second vote on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and it passed. There will likely be another vote next week to reconsider TAA, so this fight isn't over yet. We will keep you posted.
Defending Our History
As you know, I served as undersecretary of education in the Reagan Administration. One of my passions is history. And one of my biggest sources of frustration is that we are not educating our children for liberty.
Recently, dozens of historians and professors signed a letter protesting the new framework for the teaching of Advanced Placement history courses. The new guidelines reportedly downplay American exceptionalism and citizenship.
Sadly, we are too often teaching "anti-American" history in our own schools. The failures of our Founding Fathers are seemingly more important than their sacrifices and what happened at Concord Bridge. Reversing this trend must be a key priority of our next president.
What about other countries? I was reminded recently about surveys showing that significant percentages of British youth do not know who Winston Churchill was. As many as 20% believed the great statesman and war leader was a fictional character.
And while the West may be confused about its purpose, strengths and values, what about our enemies?
Yesterday I commented on Iran's leader calling the U.S. "the great Satan." His audience didn't react with laughter or walkout in disgust. Instead, it roared its approval with chants of "Death to America! Death to Israel!" Where do Iranians learn this? They are taught it in their schools.
According to a recent report from Hebrew University Professor Eldad Pardo, who has studied Iranian textbooks for ten years:
"Iran has created a war curriculum to prepare an entire generation for global war, based on Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomein's vision of collective martyrdom. . . . The school textbooks prepare the Iranian people for a constant state of emergency, requiring Iranians to foment revolutions throughout the world."
Join Me In July!
Join me in the nation's capital July 13th and 14th for the 10th annual Christians United for Israel Washington Summit.
This year's Summit features an outstanding lineup of speakers, including:
Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel
Pastor Charles Stanley
Radio host Dennis Prager
Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the Summit via satellite.
Discounted rates end soon, so register now.
Cruise With Kristol, Barnes & Bauer
Have you ever wanted to take a cruise to Alaska? If so, here's the perfect opportunity!
Join Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes and me for The Weekly Standard's 20th anniversary Alaska cruise, August 14th through the 21st. In addition to the majestic beauty of God's creation, you'll enjoy panel discussions, seminars and numerous social events.
Cabins are going fast, so make your reservation today. Click here for more information.