[PeterFinn]

NAFTA empowered unelected and unaccountable arbitrators to “interpret” the treaty when there’s a dispute. Therefore the treaty says whatever they want it to.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Thanks fir citing your characterization.....I hope you’re just plain wrong.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

>>NAFTA empowered unelected and unaccountable arbitrators to “interpret” the treaty when there’s a dispute. Therefore the treaty says whatever they want it to.<<

The senate amendment mandated how the money is to be spent on a spending bill. Surely the NAFTA arbitration board cannot ignore the Constitution?

From Article 9 of the Constitution:

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law;

So how can they spend money without appropriations?

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

>>NAFTA empowered unelected and unaccountable arbitrators to “interpret” the treaty when there’s a dispute. Therefore the treaty says whatever they want it to.<<

It’s not a treaty. It’s an “agreement.” Big difference.

[Colorado Buckeye]

NAFTA empowered unelected and unaccountable arbitrators to “interpret” the treaty when there’s a dispute. Therefore the treaty says whatever they want it to.

Note that the House vote was 234-200 and the Senate vote was 61-38.

A treaty requires no House concurrence but does require the concurrence of 2/3s of the Senators "present." [U. S. Constitution - Article II; Section 2].

Two-thirds of the Senate present for the NAFTA vote did not concur. The Bill was passed but no treaty was authorized.

NAFTA is not a treaty.

NAFTA has the force of law. As with any law, it can be changed or abolished with the passage of another law.

---

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 103^rd Congress - 1^st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the SenateVote Summary

Question: On Passage of the Bill (H.R.3450 )
Vote Number:	395	Vote Date:	November 20, 1993, 07:28 PM
Required For Majority:	1/2	Vote Result:	Bill Passed
Measure Number:	H.R. 3450
Measure Title:	A bill to implement the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Vote Counts:	YEAs	61
	NAYs	38
	Not Voting	1

More details on Senate vote here: U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote:

---

U. S. House FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 575

(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)
      H R 3450      RECORDED VOTE      17-Nov-1993      10:36 PM
      QUESTION:  On Passage
      BILL TITLE: NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

	Ayes	Noes	PRES	NV
Democratic	102	156
Republican	132	43
Independent		1
TOTALS	234	200

More details on the House vote here: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 575

---