Sierra Club California Applauds Rep. Thompson’s Opposition to #TPP

Last week, in a letter to constituents, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA5) announced his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the controversial trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. The TPP is also opposed by the Sierra Club, over 1,500 civil society organizations including hundreds of environmental organizations, both major party Presidential candidates, and millions of Americans.

In his letter, Rep. Thompson said, “I have carefully reviewed the released TPP language with a sharp eye and concern for safety, labor, and environmental protections.…Based on this stringent review, I do not believe the TPP, as currently drafted, meets the standard for a good trade deal. Although the agreement may be improved on, I cannot support the TPP at this time.”

Rep. Thompson joined the growing array of people and organizations opposing the TPP for threatening environmental protections, among other reasons. One of the most controversial elements of the TPP are rules that give multinational corporations the power to sue governments — in private trade tribunals — over climate, environmental, and other public interest safeguards.

In response, Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips released the following statement:

“Sierra Club California applauds Representative Thompson on acknowledging what we’ve known all along — in order to protect our air, water, and climate, we must reject the TPP. The TPP is a corporate trade deal that would allow some of the world’s biggest polluters to threaten our efforts to keep our climate safe and fossil fuels in the ground. It’s a raw deal for Californians, Americans, and everyone that depends on good jobs, clean air and water, and a stable climate. Today, Representative Thompson threw on the hazard lights, signaling that opposition to the TPP will continue to grow. We thank Representative Thompson for his leadership against the TPP and his commitment to environmental protection, and we encourage other members of Congress to follow his lead.”