Thanks to all who called and wrote their Senators urging support for the
Kerry Amendment to block expansion of NAFTA's corporate lawsuit provisions.

Regretably, the Senate failed to hear the voice of the people and voted to
"table" (ie, get rid of) the Kerry Amendment by a 40-56 margin.

Now for the silver lining in this dark little cloud.

Never before has the Senate had a serious debate on fast track.   We
created that debate, tieing up this anti-environmental trade bill -- a top
agenda item of Big Business and the Bush administration (excuse me for
repeating myself) -- for 4 full months.

By creating our little ruckus around the Kerry Amendment, we kept alive the
investor lawsuit issue for the day when fast track returns to the House of
Representatives.   (Estimated time of arrival is now JULY.)    There, we
are now well-positioned to hold onto the votes of key, "pro-trade"
Democrats by arguing that the Senate FAILED to fix the NAFTA corporate
lawsuit issue.   If we hold onto these votes, we stand a good chance of
defeating this particular bit of corporate welfare disguised as "free
trade."

Again, thanks for all your help in moving us foward in the last few months.

best,

Dan Seligman



Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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