Stop Fast Track Call-In Day,
this Tuesday, July 17

CALL TODAY OR WHEN YOU CAN (SOON).  This is an alert to join with AFL-CIO
for a nationwide call-in day, but the alert also gives good background on
the issue.  If you aren't able to call today, a call as soon as possible
will still be appropriate, but the toll-free number might not be available.
If it isn't, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Thanks,
Jane Clark
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Urgent Action Alert
Sierra Club's Responsible Trade Program

President Bush wants Congress to give him "fast track" trade authority to
expand environmentally destructive trade deals such as NAFTA to more
countries.  The Sierra Club is joining with the AFL-CIO to declare Tuesday,
July 17 a "Stop Fast Track Call-In Day" to the US House of Representatives.

Fast Track Hurts Planet Earth

President Bush wants "fast track" authority to expand the environmentally
damaging North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) throughout the Western
Hemisphere.  In particular, fast track would enable Bush to expand NAFTA
"investor provisions" that empower corporations to sue governments over
enforcement of our environmental laws.

NAFTA's corporate lawsuits have already been used to attack environmental
safeguards in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Congress should fix these dangerous NAFTA provisions, not give Bush the
power to expand them to more countries.

Take Action: Call-In Day

Sierra Club and its fair trade coalition partners have declared Tuesday,
July 17 a Stop Fast Track National Call-In Day to the Congress.  On
Tuesday, July 17, call your US congressional representative toll free
(courtesy of the AFL-CIO) at 1-800-393-1082.

After reaching your Representative's office, ask for the "trade legislative
assistant."  Use the talking points that follow to urge your representative
to oppose ANY fast track legislative, including the Trade Promotion
Authority Act of 2001 (H.R. 2149).

Sample Talking Points

§    I am deeply concerned that the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) gave international companies dangerous new powers to sue
governments and undercut our hard-won safeguards for clean water and clean
air.
§    These provisions were sold as necessary to protect "foreign
investors".
§    Instead, they have turned into a weapon that companies can use against
our environmental laws, and they could cost taxpayers billions.
§    Rather than fix the problem, President Bush wants "fast track"
authority to expand NAFTA to the rest of the Western Hemisphere.
§    "Fast track" ties Congress' hands to amend trade deals.  It prevents
Congress from holding the White House accountable for trade deals that
include strong protections for the environment and working people.
§    Bush has already proven that he won't protect our environment; we
can't trust him with the enormous power that "fast track" represents.
§    I urge you to vote against any fast track bill, starting with the
Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 (H.R. 2149).
§    Instead, we need a "right track" trade policy to make trade clean,
green, and fair.

Background

"Fast track" trade legislation introduced by Rep. Phillip Crane on June 13,
2001 -- the Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 (H.R. 2149) -- imperils
the environment in our own communities.  It would help create new trade
deals that allow global corporations to attack our hard-won environmental
safeguards, smart growth incentives, and health and safety standards.

The US House of Representatives could vote on this legislation before it
adjourns for its August recess, although September is more likely.

The Crane fast-track bill would give President Bush a blank check to
negotiate sweeping new trade agreements, such as a proposed expansion of
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) throughout the Western
Hemisphere, but restricts Congress' ability to debate and to amend the
final product.

NAFTA expansion could be extremely damaging for the environment here at
home and throughout the Americas. Under NAFTA's investor provisions, for
example, foreign corporations gained broad rights to sue national
governments if laws, regulations, or court rulings at the local, state, or
federal levels of government interfere in any way with the company's
ability to do business.

For instance, a Canadian chemical corporation has sued the US government
for nearly $1 billion over California's decision to phase out the hazardous
gasoline additive MTBE that is polluting drinking water across the country.
No US court would ever have heard such a lawsuit. But under NAFTA, a
secretive, three-judge tribunal will soon decide whether US taxpayers must
pay a large fine because California decided to ensure water that was safe
to drink.

The expansion of NAFTA's investor provisions under fast track procedures
could exert a powerful "chilling effect" on environmental protection across
the Americas and cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

Trade agreements should be a force for progress, not another excuse to
limit governments' ability to protect the public interest. We need to
replace fast track with "right track" trade authority to ensure that future
trade deals do not undercut our laws and, instead, require enforceable
labor and environmental standards.

For further information, contact:

Dan Seligman
Sierra Club
Responsible Trade Program
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www.sierraclub.org/trade

             Please use this material in any way that you wish
                     to urge opposition to Fast Track.

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