Excerpt: "Barack Obama's trade agenda has survived a crucial Senate vote and seems well-positioned to become law."
A group of demonstrators protesting the Trans-Pacific Partnership gather at the Federal Building in San Francisco. (photo: Robert Galbraith/Reuters)
ALSO SEE: Wyden, Feinstein Led Pro-TPP Democrats
By One Vote, Obama Gets His Fast-Track Authority
23 June 15
The Senate hit the exact number of votes needed to avoid a filibuster on Tuesday, which makes the agenda well-positioned to become law
arack Obama’s trade agenda has survived a crucial Senate vote and seems well-positioned to become law.
The Senate voted 60-37 on Tuesday to begin full-blown debate on Obama’s request for so-called “fast track” negotiating authority, which would make trade deals such as the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the EU possible. That was the exact number needed to avoid a filibuster.
The vote continued a revival process that began last week when Obama’s trade allies resurrected the legislative package in the House and won a crucial vote there.
Previous presidents have enjoyed fast track authority. It lets them propose trade pacts that Congress can reject or ratify but not change.
Unions strongly oppose it. They say free-trade deals cost US jobs.
Obama and most GOP leaders say US products must reach more markets.
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