[ConservativeMind]

But all spending bills need to go before the House, so getting both houses of Congress involved on a trade agreement makes sense. If I recall properly, even trade bills must go to the House, so doesn’t this seem appropriate? It’s not a treaty.

[P-Marlowe]

But all spending bills need to go before the House, so getting both houses of Congress involved on a trade agreement makes sense.

Spending bills must ORIGINATE in the house.

This "Bill" originated in the Senate, but in fact it originated in the white house. It is not a "bill" anyway, it is a TREATY.

The president negotiates treaties and is supposed to submit them to the Senate for ratification. Once a treaty is signed by the president, the Senate has no authority to change even one word of it. They must pass it by a 2/3 majority or it is dead.

BTW the Congress doesn't care much for the "origination clause" either.

f I recall properly, even trade bills must go to the House, so doesn’t this seem appropriate? It’s not a treaty.

It's a banana.