Posted on 06/12/2015 11:41:39 AM PDT by HomerBohn
Defying President Obama, House Democrats on Friday rallied to vote down legislation granting aid to workers displaced by trade, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the fast-track legislation that had been scheduled to hit the floor.
An overwhelming majority of Democrats voted to sink the package in the 126-302 vote despite an impassioned plea from the president, which he delivered in person during a rare morning visit to Capitol Hill. A majority of Republicans also opposed the bill.
The vote came minutes after a dramatic floor speech by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who rebuffed lobbying by Obama to vote against the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.
Pelosi noted that Democrats have traditionally backed TAA, but sided with liberals in her conference who argued a vote against the program was the only way to stop fast-track.
“If TAA slows down the fast track, I’m prepared to vote against TAA," Pelosi said.
Other members of Pelosi's leadership team, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Reps. James Cyburn (S.C.) and Steve Israel (N.Y.), voted yes.
On the GOP side, Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) cast a vote in favor of TAA.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Interesting…post & thread. Thanks.
Good point. If it’s not supposed to cost jobs, why do they need help.
I have mixed feelings on the vote though. If killing the assistance, kills the fast track bill then great. But if they do pass another free trade bill people are going to suffer because it will cost jobs and they will need help.
The best help we can give them is not to undermine their jobs in the first place. Followed by bringing jobs back so they don’t have to support so many unemployed.
You’re not seeing the trees for the forest.
It’s straightforward politics.
Obama got the Dems all he could and now Pelosi will get them more.
As to the trends you are on the money
What would have to be done to really make a difference is to undo the trade deals that cost US workers jobs.
What I DON'T have mixed feelings about is what we learned about our pols. When US citizens, across the board, got really mad, it was mostly dems who turned against Obama. The Republicans we thought were going to listen to us when they got majorities in DC sided with Obama. It's very disturbing.
Explanation, please.
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