Could Conservatives Push TPA Over the Finish Line?

Roll Call ^ | May 22nd, 2015 | By Matt Fuller

[Mariner]

As the House inches closer to a vote on the long-awaited Trade Promotion Authority bill, conservatives who have traditionally been hard-liners in their opposition to deals with the White House are taking a softer approach.

While many on the right are still hedging their position on the TPA, there appears to be some conservative support for the trade process legislation. And with congressional Democrats increasingly taking a firmer line against the TPA, which would give expedited consideration to the Trans-Pacific Partnership under negotiation with 11 other countries, conservatives could be the key to getting the TPA over the finish line.

At a monthly panel discussion for conservative lawmakers Wednesday, a cross-section of the House GOP’s most needling members expressed views ranging from support to little more than light opposition to the TPA bill. Most Republicans in attendance — Justin Amash of Michigan, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Raúl R. Labrador of Idaho, Jim Jordan of Ohio and Ken Buck of Colorado — all said they were “leaning no” on the fast-track authority. (Dave Brat of Virginia said he was “leaning heavy no.”) But Cynthia M. Lummis of Wyoming said she was undecided, and Tim Huelskamp of Kansas, perhaps GOP leadership’s biggest critic, even sounded supportive.

[ConservativeMind]

No, the bill would and does go to the floor as a bill.

Only treaties require more than a simple majority.

If something is not a treaty, it is not a treaty.

I really don’t see any logic to your words. It’s apparent you don’t understand what you are saying.

[Roland]

I apologize for confusing you, please bear with me and I’ll attempt to simplify this in a manner you can understand. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (the trade agreement we have been discussing) is an agreement under international law entered into by sovereign states. This is legally referred to as a treaty. There are two paths for trade agreements to become law.

The first being a supermajority vote by the Senate.

The second is a Congressional-executive agreement. This is also known as Trade Promotion Authority or fast track. Once both houses of congress have authorized TPA, or fast track, a trade agreement (treaty) may become law with a simple majority of both houses of congress and executive branch ratification.

It really doesn’t require much logic to understand this. Obviously the first route is much more difficult to obtain and likely impossible with the current Senate.

[lentulusgracchus]

We only have to turn about 40 Republicans to a NO position to stop this.

I like your spunk, but I'm guessing the writer at Roll Call is deeply disappointed in your "attitude".

I hope the conservatives do move to stop it.

No NWO, thanks.

[lentulusgracchus]

We only have to turn about 40 Republicans to a NO position to stop this.

I like your spunk, but I'm guessing the writer at Roll Call is deeply disappointed in your "attitude".

I hope the conservatives do move to stop it.

No NWO, thanks.