This letter from Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown sets the perfect tone for the debate on the TPP. It is respectful while at the same time not backing down an inch in their criticisms of the process so far. It lays out the case on the whole secrecy issue, and while being respectful of the President themselves ask for the same respectfulness from him.

Having worked inside a White House, been involved in behind closed doors negotiations, and been aware of the difference between classified and non-classified government material, I want to add this point in support of Warren's and Brown's request for opening these documents up the public: the proper role of making documents classified is in the national security interests of the country -- in other words, military intelligence, information on terrorist threats, information on security vulnerabilities for our country, information from diplomatic discussions on threats to the stability of other countries. Trade negotiations don't qualify for any of that: they are not security issues, they are about who wins and loses economically from the negotiations, and that is something the public should know about in a democratic society. I understand the need for some private conversations during the back and forth of negotiations, but this trade deal is mostly done. This is not black-box, dark ops stuff. And if a bunch of big business execs have information and access to the negotiations, you and I should, too.

Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown are 100% right on this. The President says this isn't secret yet isn't telling the public what is in the deal. That needs to change.

Sign this petition today, and send it along to your friends. This is a big deal.