Free Republic

resident Obama signed hard-fought trade legislation Monday, thanking Republican leaders who helped get it done and saying the package will “reinforce America’s leadership role in the world.” “I think it’s fair to say that getting these bills through Congress has not been easy,” Mr. Obama said as he signed the trade bills into law in the East Room. “They’ve been declared dead more than once.” The two major pieces of legislation grant Mr. Obama “fast track” trade-promotion authority

The documents seized in the FBI raid on the offices of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) remain unread by Justice Department investigators, pending a federal Appeals Court ruling scheduled for August 27. [snip] But we already know a bit about the charges and some of the alleged partners of Congressman Jefferson. Two people have pleaded guilty to bribing him.

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Conressional negotiators reached an agreement shortly before midnight Thursday on sweeping U.S. trade legislation, clearing the way for the president to gain long-sought trade-negotiating powers as soon as next week. House and Senate conferees agreed on a five-year renewal of trade promotion authority, or TPA, which a U.S. president last enjoyed in 1994. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., said the conference bill is likely to pass the House Friday; while Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., predicted the Senate will show broad bipartisan support in a vote likely to occur next week....