U.S. Republicans claim enough votes to pass fast-track trade bill

Reuters ^ | May 17th, 2015 | By Doina Chiacu

[Mariner]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Republicans predicted on Sunday that both chambers of Congress would muster the votes to pass the "fast-track" authority sought by President Barack Obama to negotiate major trade deals, despite opposition from Obama's fellow Democrats.

"Yes, we’ll pass it. We'll pass it later this week," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview with ABC.

Republican U.S. Representative Paul Ryan said on CNN's "State of the Union" that he was confident the measure would also pass the House of Representatives.

"We will have the votes," said Ryan, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "We're doing very well. We're gaining a lot of steam and momentum."

[headstamp 2]

Oh Thank God.

I thought the corporatist whores would lose this one.

[rockinqsranch]

It appears to me THEY whom would have our constitution null, and void have secured the positions within our government via political party manipulations to achieve their nefarious goals.

I think it beyond time to consider political parties in the same light as did George Washington.

[factoryrat]

Our CofC backed republican free trade masters say that fast track is a good thing. If it means the destruction of those evil unions, and minimum wage laws, we should all be for it, right?

I've heard here on FR time and time again, how Americans are too lazy, stupid, and want too much money to do any job, all because Americans refuse to work for third world wages, while working in third world squalor.

I find it ironic that the FR IT crowd are complaining about having to train their Indian replacements. The IT crowd now has to experience what all of us from the former manufacturing sector had to endure since the late 80’s.

Just wait until the H1-B drovers latch onto the financial sectors, and start to replace lawyers and people in the judicial sector.

[molson209]

Republicans are trying their best to put Democrats back in power in House, Senate and Make Nancy Speaker again , LOL

[zeebee]

What is it that the Republicans see in this that the dims don’t?

And why is 0 pushing it? What’s in it for him?

[redgolum]

Curse their sudden but inevitable betrayal!

[redgolum]

It is starting to happen in Finance. Law has some rather strict rules to protect the guild.

[Clump]

I think I’m done voting.
Somebody wake me when the shooting starts.

[indthkr]

GOPe / CoC bump for later....

[Mariner]

"I find it ironic that the FR IT crowd are complaining about having to train their Indian replacements"

Many on this board have extolled the virtues of "free trade" and the import of labor, as they felt themselves immune.

After all, anyone who knows their stuff and works hard has nothing to fear, right?

What they didn't bet on was there would be 3 Indians at least as skilled as they are, willing to work 14hrs/day for $25/hr.

Sure, they could PROBABLY still do that if they had to.

But, one must ask, why allow such a situation to exist? Why import every cheap good and every cheap manhour, worldwide?

Why make America a hell hole like the rest of the 3rd world?

Why can't these "unfair, free trade" zealots see this natural outcome?

Who really wants to compete against a smart, able man willing to work for 1/3 of what you are?

[NTHockey]

All it takes is ONE member of Congress to stop this. ONE member of either the House OR the Senate to object. Object to the motion to dispense with the reading of the bill. The motion requires UNANIMOUS approval. Otherwise, the bill must be read.

Is there ONE member of Congress who will object? Out of that band of liars, thieves and perverts? Not a chance!

[erkelly]

That decision rests with YOU! YOU need to consider voting third party. Even if the third party candidate does not win, the more votes given to that party, the more viable it becomes, thus the more likely it will be that the loyal lever pullers for the GOP will reconsider their vote, knowing that the lesser of the two evils is not going to win anway -- in addition it will tend pull away the loyal democrats who hate what they are voting for but feel that anything is better than a republican (something their grandfathers were taught at their father's knee, and they cannot get past that.) There really is no discernible difference between the GOP leaders in power and the Democrat leaders in power, and as long as you all continue to vote Republican, you keep these foolish men (and women) who do not fear God in power. Stop voting for the lesser of the two evils. Here is analogy regarding the “lesser” of two evils: Which is a more dangerous dose, ten 10/325 mg tablets of Vicodin or one hundred 10/325-mg tablets of Vicodin?

[Georgia Girl 2]

“We will have the votes,” said Ryan, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “We’re doing very well. We’re gaining a lot of steam and momentum.”

There is a frightening statement.

[LaybackLenny]

[DoughtyOne]

The treachery continues...

[afraidfortherepublic]

Paul Ryan on trade bill.

FReep mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Norm Lenhart]

Does anyone smell burnt feet? Because I distinctly remember Free Republic’s ‘Lesser Evil” voters telling us that we had to get Mitch, Jonbon and the other RINOs into office again to control the house and senate because the dems were worse...THAN ‘we’ would hold their feet to the fire.

Nice to know that Free Republic’s Lesser Evil voters were nothing but liars and GOP shills. Because I see no ATTEMPT being made, or EVER being made to ‘hold feet to the fire’. So what else are we to believe?

And wouldn’t you know it? They are now promoting the hell out of every candidate out there not named Ted Cruz. I suppose that RINO, once elected, will have his feet held to the fire in a similar manner as the last batch.

Because the Dems are worse right?

[Gritty]

Are there any real Americans left up in that nest of vipers known as "Washington, D.C."?

I wish somebody would change the name of that treacherous and evil town to something more fitting, like "Serpentville".

George Washington would be ashamed to death of what his namesake has become. Most likely, he would be reaching for his musket, sword, and saddle as we speak and pledging his life, fortune, and sacred honor to run those traitors out of town and hang them on the gallows...

[savedbygrace]

They’re not even pretending anymore.

[VerySadAmerican]

I’ve already decided I won’t be voting anymore. At least not for a republican.