House approves fast-track 218-208, sending bill to Senate

The Hill ^ | 06/18/2015 | Cristina Marcos and Vicki Needham

[GIdget2004]

The House on Thursday took the first step toward resuscitating the White House’s trade agenda by passing legislation granting President Obama fast-track authority.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where the White House and GOP leaders are seeking to strike a deal with pro-trade Democrats.

The House vote was 218-208, with 28 Democrats voting for it.

This is the second time in a week the House has voted to approve the controversial fast-track bill. On Friday, the House voted 219-211 in favor of fast-track, which would make it easier for Obama to complete a sweeping trans-Pacific trade deal.

In last week’s vote, the House GOP paired the fast-track bill with a measure known as Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) that gives aid to workers displaced by trade. Both measures needed to be approved in separate votes for the entire package to move forward.

House Democrats have historically favored TAA, but they voted against it on Friday to kill fast-track, which is deeply opposed by unions and other liberal groups.

The White House still wants both measures to reach Obama’s desk, but is now advancing a different strategy that would see the two bills move separately.

[zeestephen]

I live east of Seattle.

My new Democrat congressman has won back-to-back elections with 75% of the vote in this recently re-drawn congressional district.

My Democrat congressman - whose name is Adam Smith(!) - voted “No” on the trade bill.

My former congressman, center-left Republican Dave Reichert, voted “Yes.”

Maybe I should switch parties?

[Uncle Miltie]

“28 Democrats voting for it.”

We’re both right.

:-)

[exit82]

Gowdy, Huelskamp, Cruz and Scott are RINOs? Interesting definition of RINOs you have there, FRiend.

Pertaininng to the TPA, if the shoe fits, they can wear it.

[exit82]

Oh, I was agin it.

If the Dems were true to form, with the 50 GOP no votes, the TPA would have failed to pass.

Thems the facts.

[itsahoot]

If the Dems were true to form, with the 50 GOP no votes, the TPA would have failed to pass.

Who do you think bought those Dim votes, Obama or Boehner?

[Old Sarge]

You and a number of others predicted the same things - I was among that company too.

[novemberslady]

They’re going to have to work VERY hard at threats and bribery to get the subsequent TPP through

No they won't, and Boehner, Ryan, & Cruz all know it.
The democrats will now step forward to help pass this.

They will make sure that Obama gets more power.
I will never forget everyone who covered their guys asses during this little charade.

Because you're no better than they are.

[exit82]

Who do you think bought those Dim votes, Obama or Boehner?

Could be either, or both.

And that is the problem.

[dfwgator]

The Uniparty has spoken.

[Mariner]

" The TPP requires both the House and the Senate"

The ONLY reason it requires the House is because it bypasses the Treaty Clause.

Upon that the erudite agree. Left and Right.

[SunkenCiv]

House Democrats have historically favored TAA, but they voted against it on Friday to kill fast-track, which is deeply opposed by unions and other liberal groups.

[blackdog]

The bill is not about trade.

[Cheerio]

I will NEVER vote again in a national election. 2010 and 2014 were total WASTES.

[T Ruth]

Rats screw the country again.

With 190 Republicans voting for the bill, one can hardly put all the blame on the Democrats.

[dfwgator]

There are no Republicans or Democrats, there is only the Uniparty.

[RitaOK]

I can’t swear that we have representative government any more. Can you? It looks as if the House has become it’s own fiefdom. They were always our last resort.

[CAluvdubya]

Thanks for the link.

McClintock voted yes! What the heck? What has happened to this man?

[T Ruth]

there is only the Uniparty

Seems that way.

[CAluvdubya]

Do you remember how hard it was for McClintock to win his current seat? His own party was against him for most of his races because he was too conservative.

Well, that doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. :( Very disappointed in him.

[RitaOK]

So, who are you supporting for president? Did your candidate vote “NO” today?

Maybe your presidential candidate is a governor, or outside of holding public office. Did he or she reject these TPA, TPP proposals outright?