White House: ‘No Reason’ Congress Can’t Pass TPP in 2016

BOLEN: “Does the White House think it will be able to ratify the agreement in 2016? Can you say that?

EARNEST: “Well, I would -- I don’t want to make any predictions, but let me lay it out for you this way -- is that the 12 nations that were responsible for negotiating this agreement are working hard to finalize the text so that it can be made public here in the United States and we can, as soon as possible, begin the process of both public review and congressional consideration of the agreement. So the administration will certainly be making the case to Congress that this is something that they should consider not just carefully but promptly, because the sooner that this agreement is ratified the sooner we can start cutting 18,000 taxes on American goods and services that can be exported around the globe, particularly into these 11 other countries in the Asia Pacific. So we’ll be making the case that Congress should act quickly, and there’s certainly no reason that they shouldn’t be able to complete it in 2016.”

…

KARL: “So Bernie Sanders says that this deal is disastrous, Wall Street and the other big corporations have won again. I’m wondering your reaction to the Democratic frontrunner in New Hampshire.”

EARNEST: “Well, Jon, in addition to the statistics that I cited about cutting 18,000 different taxes on American goods and services, this is an agreement that also includes the strongest worker protections in history. These are the strongest labor protections that have been factored into any trade agreement in history that the United States has been a party to. … So the point is, is that there are -- even if Senator Sanders has reached his conclusion, there is ample reason for those who may be participating in a Democratic presidential primary to believe that the Trans-Pacific Partnership isn’t just good for middle-class families in the United States -- that of course is the President’s priority -- but it’s also good for advancing the kinds of priorities that the President has championed since he’s been in office, including protecting workers in the United States and around the world, and tightening environmental standards, as well.”

…

CORKE: “If you would just sort of help me understand the opponents of TPP. Are they confused? Are they just not getting it? Unpack for them where they’re wrong on this. What are they missing?”

EARNEST: “Well, I think the thing that they’re missing right now, Kevin, is that there will be an opportunity for everybody to take a look at the agreement before they have to announce a position. And again, based on what I’ve been briefed that’s included in the agreement, there are lots of reasons for both Democrats and Republicans to support this agreement. But I understand why there might be members of Congress who say, I don’t want to just rely on a briefing, I actually want to see the text of the agreement. And that is certainly a reasonable position for them to take. And that’s why we’re working as expeditiously as possible to finalize that agreement and to send it up not just to Capitol Hill, but also post on the Internet so that people all across the country can take a look at the agreement and understand exactly how an agreement like this creates so much economic opportunity for American businesses and American workers.”