U.S. lawmakers are about to introduce a shady piece of legislation called Fast Track to help ram through a massive trade pact designed in secret with multinational corporations.

"Fast Track" would give Congress the ability to hammer the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal through -- even though experts warn the deal will hurt jobs, food safety standards, access to life-saving medicine and democracy.

Fast Track could be introduced any day now, but inside sources say the numbers are really tight, and politicians aren't sure they have the votes to pass this controversial bill. A reminder from us right now -- the people that elected our members of Congress -- could be what stops Fast Track for good. But we need to act fast to make sure our leaders stand up for us and not corporations.

Sign the petition to Congress to say no to Fast Track and no TPP!

Fast Track is also known as Trade Promotion Authority. It creates special rules that empower the White House to negotiate and sign trade agreements without Congressional oversight. Lawmakers won't be able to analyze and change them -- and have only 90 days to make a Yes or No vote to ratify the entire treaty.

The TPP deal would hand corporations the right to sue the government for billions in secret courts when it tries to pass laws that protect our children, the environment or the economy. And worse, taxpayers would foot the bill.

The final ministerial round of the TPP talks was just delayed, and an emergency round of negotiations is scheduled to start in two weeks in Hawaii. Sources say the reason for the delay and change in plan is to make sure Fast Track passes -- and fast. What this means is that the very balance of the TPP deal depends on Fast Track passing -- and that's why we need to stop it now.

Congress is still deeply divided on Fast Track -- and calls from the people that elected them could make sure they stand up for us and not the corporate lobby.

People power has stopped Fast Track before. Last year, when SumOfUs members and allies signed petitions and piled on thousands of calls, we stopped Fast Track in its tracks. Right now, we need to do it again.

Can you sign the petition to Congress now to say no to Fast Track and the TPP?

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Further reading:

U.S. lawmaker sees fast-track trade power soon in step towards trade pact. Reuters. February 19, 2015

Chief negotiators to meet in mid-March in Hawaii. Japan Times. February 20, 2015.