Courage is a rare attribute in today’s political climate. Indeed, with millions of dollars of dark money flooding Colorado to buy elections and unparalleled partisan bickering, it’s no wonder that so many Americans do not feel our federal elected officials actually represent their interests. Congressman Ed Perlmutter has a unique opportunity to change this perception this Friday. By voting against fast tracking a secretive trade deal that would destroy jobs, threaten food safety and undermine local control, Representative Perlmutter will help restore our faith in the responsiveness of our democracy.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the biggest trade deal in history. The TPP is being secretly negotiated between the United States and eleven Pacific Rim nations . Nearly 500 corporations — including Big Banks, Big Pharma, Big Ag and Big Oil and Gas — advise U.S. trade negotiators while the public is almost totally excluded from the process.

The TPP will exacerbate the problems with prior trade pacts. First, it’s a rerun of previous trade agreements that decimated working families in Colorado. From 1994 to 2011, Congressman Perlmutters’ district lost more than 8,000 jobs from the North American Free Trade Agreement and China trade deals alone, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The TPP will further incentivize companies to move jobs overseas.

Second, the TPP would increase the flood of cheap imported foods, especially fish farmed in countries that use antibiotics and chemicals that are illegal to use in the United States. Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from and to confidence in its quality. But the TPP would undermine this right.

Finally and most concerning, the TPP investment provisions provide a powerful new avenue for foreign companies to attack commonsense public health, labor, environmental and consumer safeguards for frustrating their business plans. One natural gas company has challenged the Canadian province of Quebec’s fracking moratorium under NAFTA’s investment provisions and demanded millions in compensation for lost earnings. These corporate lawsuits can erode local or state laws that threaten profits, creating a chilling effect on communities that want to protect their residents.

The multinational corporate interests want the TPP to be considered under Fast Track, a legislative procedure that only lets Congress consider trade deals on a take-it-or-leave it basis. Fast tracking the TPP is like being forced to accept or reject the listing price at a car dealership without being able to negotiate a better deal. The Constitution grants Congress authority over international trade deals. But, Fast Track surrenders this power and prevents Congressional oversight or changes.

The vote to fast track the TPP is this Friday. Congressman Perlmutter recently issued a public statement reaffirming his commitment to stand with his constituents by voting against Fast Track. But, Congressman Perlmutter is under immense pressure from the White House and Big Business interests pushing the TPP. We urge Representative Perlmutter to stay strong and make a politically courageous decision that honors his commitment to represent working families, protect the environment and preserve our democracy by voting against fast tracking the TPP.

Ron Ruggiero is the President of Service Employees International Union Local 105 and Sam Schabacker is the Denver-based Western Region Director for Food & Water Watch