Sanchez, a no on trade, points to Vietnam rights violations

AP - June 11, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez says she'll vote against President Barack Obama's trade agenda because his administration has not addressed Vietnam's human rights violations.

The California Democrat, who is running for Senate, said Thursday that Congress should not give Obama the power to agree to an historic accord with 11 Pacific nations, including Vietnam. Sanchez, the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, has called on the country's leaders to reform policies restricting Internet access and permitting the imprisonment of social and political activists.

"I have yet to see any significant moves by the administration ... to address the alarming human rights situation in Vietnam through the (trade legislation), and I cannot support such a trade agreement," Sanchez said.

The Anaheim and Santa Ana-area congresswoman is serving her 10th term in the House. She has declared she's running for the seat held by Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is retiring.

The House is expected to vote on the Senate-passed package Friday, but its fate was unclear. The issue scrambles political allegiances in Congress, putting pro-trade Republicans in alliance with Obama for passage. Opposed to the agenda are Democrats like Sanchez, who harbor an array of environmental, labor or human rights objections.

 

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