Lawmakers in the nation’s capitol are reviewing the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement that solidifies trade relations between America and 11 other countries including Mexico and Canada.
The White House said the deal would enforce a ban on child and forced labor and enact minimum wage, workplace safety standards and trade sanctions for violating labor rights. According to the White House, the TPP will also “eliminate over 18,000 taxes various countries put on Made-in-America products.”
U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) told the Ripon Advance he continues to read through the 2,700-page text of the agreement.
“Increased trade will mean more jobs and higher wages for Americans, but it’s important to carefully evaluate this agreement to ensure that it meets the objectives that were laid out by Congress,” Rep. Paulsen said in a statement to the Ripon Advance.
The TPP has received mixed reviews from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) both said they’re against it, as are Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. GOP hopefuls Ben Carson, Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio support the partnership.
Rep. Paulsen said he is taking the time to make sure the TPP is in the best interest of the country.
“We now have substantial time to read the text, ask questions of the Administration, and debate the merits of the agreement,” Rep. Paulsen said in his statement to the Advance. “In addition to these steps, I look forward to engaging with Minnesotans as I review this agreement.”
Rep. Paulsen is a member of the Ways and Means committee, which is scheduled to hold several hearings on the TPP starting Nov. 16, according to The Hill.
The White House released the full details on the TPP earlier this month, ahead of a 90-day congressional review of the agreement.