CRISES on "open" or "closed" rule on "NAFTA for Africa" Bill!

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

>From Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch:

CRISES on "open" or "closed" rule on  "NAFTA for Africa" Bill!
Call House Minority Leader Gephardt: tell him NOT TO CAVE IN and support a 
closed rule!
CALL REP. GEPHARDT AT 202-225-2671 OR 1-888-449-3511

Thanks to all of our work, the Rules Committee put off its meeting until 
tomorrow Wed, July 14th at 1 PM. And, the vote on NAFTA-for-Africa is also 
pushed until Friday. GREAT WORK! EXCEPT.... 	
A new crisis on the question of the rule could snatch our hard fought, 
growing likelihood of victory against AGOA away: In the last week the 
tremendous pressure on the whole House has AGOA's boosters (Rep. Rangel and 
the Republican leadership) extremely nervous. They know what we know -- 
which is they do not have the votes.... And their problem about a shortage 
of  vote is even worse when it comes to the first floor vote AGOA would 
face. That is the vote to approve a closed rule on AGOA which would means no 
amendments would be allowed to AGOA.  It is easier to win this vote even 
than the vote on the AGOA bill proper because there are Members who promised 
Rangel they'll vote for AGOA who will oppose a closed rule on principle.

Well, this afternoon a press report had Minority Leader Gephardt in a 
surprise move (which is contradictory to his promises to never vote for a 
closed rule and specifically to oppose a closed rule on AGOA), say he would 
support a closed rule on AGOA.

We need to pile on Mr. Gephardt tomorrow morning and urge him to change his 
position -- or to declare the report false if it was a mis-characterization. 
The fundamental question at stake here is whether there will be an open and 
democratic debate on controversial bills - a position that Democrats like 
Mr. Gephardt should favor regardless of their position on the bill. Mr. 
Gephardt can do whatever he likes on AGOA proper - but in his role as 
minority leader he needs to protect the right of the Democratic Members to 
offer amendments. In this case, eight Dem members have offered amendments. 
If Gephardt supports a closed rule he will keep labor rights, environmental 
etc amendments from being considered. OUTRAGEOUS!

Say something like this:
"I heard that Mr. Gephardt is considering supporting a closed rule on the 
"NAFTA for Africa" Bill! This is outrageous given Mr. Gephardt's promise to 
never support a closed rule and specific promise to oppose a closed rule on 
AGOA. This would be the first time he would support a closed rule - and it 
would specifically be to keep labor and environmental amendments out of a 
trade policy!  It is vital to have an open and democratic debate about the 
bill, with the possibility of  labor or environmental amendments. Is Mr. 
Gephardt really planning on betraying the Democrats rights to get in 
amendments?"

This is not yet a done deal unless we let it be -- not only do we need to 
pile on Rep. Gephardt himself, but also we need to get all of our powerful 
allies against AGOA to go get on Mr. Gephardt personally in the AM tomorrow! 
Therefore, make the calls to Mr. Gephardt and get your entire network to do 
the same!

Mr Gephardt cannot support a rule that forbids consideration of labor 
amendments on the floor! Pile on! Call Mr. Gephardt at 202-225-2671 or 
1-888-449-3511.

For questions/comments/reports call 202-546-4996 and ask for any member of 
the Global Trade Watch Team, or send an e-mail to mstrand@citizen.org