Posted on 04/13/2015 9:53:49 AM PDT by Theoria
A smoldering debate over trade is expected to get even hotter after Congress returns from its two-week spring break.
Senate Finance Committee leaders Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden appear poised to introduce a “fast track” trade promotion authority bill along with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. But months of closed-door negotiations were continuing on Friday, congressional aides said.
The power, largely embraced by Republicans, pits many congressional Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and potentially Senate Democratic leader-in-waiting Charles Schumer, against the White House.
The measure would allow President Barack Obama to submit free trade agreements to Congress for straight up or down votes without any amendments. It’s seen as key to completing his signature 12-country trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact.
“The Trans-Pacific Partnership has been negotiated in secret for the last five years and now Members of Congress are being asked to rubber stamp it. That is unacceptable,” said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, leader of a vocal Democrat opposition. “Congress has the responsibility to fight for the jobs and wages of the people that we represent. Fast track for the TPP takes us out of that fight, resulting in fewer good paying jobs and lower wages.”
Forces on both sides of the debate are ready for a fight once the bill is dropped. Proponents need to act fast or risk losing their opportunity to move the bill in the upcoming six-week work session because of competing demands for floor time.
TPA has been used by Democratic and Republican presidents over the past 40 years to complete more than a dozen trade agreements, but opponents to giving Obama the authority call the process undemocratic. They’re prepared to intensify their fight against it this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
But these Free Trade agreements have worked out so well for American workers in the past.
Free Trade Chamber of Commerce Republican hacks in bed with Obama and the only complaints come from democratic congress critters. What a world....
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