|
 The Senate vote is one of a likely series of congressional hurdles
to be overcome that will hinge on the support of a handful of
Democrats. The White House has launched a campaign blitz directed at
them in support of granting the president authority to speed trade
deals through Congress.
Fast-track legislation gives lawmakers the right to set negotiating
objectives but restricts them to a yes-or-no vote on trade deals
such as the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, a potential
legacy-defining achievement for Obama.
"A loss would not be fatal ... but it's very important to keep the
ball rolling forward," said Fred Bergsten, founding director of the
Peterson Institute for International Economics.
The TPP would create a free trade zone covering 40 percent of the
world economy - making it the biggest trade deal since the North
American Free Trade Agreement liberalized trade between the United
States, Canada and Mexico.
More than two decades later, that pact is blamed by many on the left
for factory closures and job losses and has soured sentiment toward
the TPP.
 "It's incredibly important for American workers that we pass this
bill," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, on
Monday. Without approval, he said, foreign companies would have
easier access to U.S. markets than U.S. businesses would have to
theirs.
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, a fast-track opponent, wants
debate on the imminent expiration of federal transportation
construction projects and a domestic surveillance program before
Congress takes up fast track. [ID:nL1N0Y21LK]
McConnell will have to find 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to
overcome procedural obstacles before work can formally begin on the
fast-track bill, which trading partners have said they want to see
enacted before finalizing the TPP.
That requires support from at least six Democrats. But late on
Monday, No. 2 Senate Democrat Dick Durbin questioned whether
McConnell could find enough votes to bring the measure to the floor.
[to top of second column] |
If the test vote succeeds, the Senate could start considering
amendments to the bill including tough rules against currency
manipulation in trade deals, which the Obama administration opposes,
and human trafficking.
If it fails, Republicans could work on the transportation and
surveillance bills and then try again, or push ahead on trade
without limiting speaking time on the bill, virtually guaranteeing a
lengthy debate.
Failure would send a worrying signal about the level of support for
fast track, which unions, environmental and consumer groups strongly
oppose, as do some conservatives.
"If the cloture vote fails, I think passage becomes less likely,"
said United States Business and Industry Council President Kevin
Kearns, a fast-track critic.
The White House is pushing Democrats to support the TPP and fast
track. Seven of 12 Democrats backed the bill during Senate committee
debate.
"This is really an acid test on whether members of Congress believe
in looking outward or looking inward," said Bill Lane, Global
Governmental Affairs director for Caterpillar Inc <CAT.N>, one of
many companies pushing for the deal.
(Reporting by Krista Hughes and Richard Cowan; Editing by Steve
Orlofsky)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
