Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, the Democrats of Hawaii, were among the 37 U.S. senators voting late Friday against legislation giving President Obama fast-track negotiating authority in trade.

But Republicans, with the help of some Democrats, managed to get the more than 60 votes to prevent any filibuster and pass the bill.

The move is “a major second-term legislative victory” for the president, says The Hill, but also “a big win for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) who said last month that passing trade legislation would likely be the biggest accomplishment of the 114th Congress.”

The White House, from the south side.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

The move is also a big disappointment to Hirono, who released a lengthy statement after the vote. It said in part:

“Congress certainly shouldn’t be putting trade agreements that fail on fundamental protections on a ‘fast track’ to passage, which is why I’ve consistently opposed free trade agreements that were negotiated under fast track authority in the past. Instead, Congress should fast track legislation that will help working families like raising the minimum wage, funding job creating transportation and infrastructure projects, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness by passing comprehensive immigration reform and making college more affordable.”

Earlier this week, Schatz spoke on the Senate floor to oppose fast-track authority, saying in part, “I am seriously concerned about using fast-track to pass trade agreements that do not reflect the best interests of the American people and undermine the prerogatives of the Congress. Corporate interests should not be the driving force for public policy decisions on public health, consumer safety, and the environment.”

The legislation now heads to the House where Rep. Mark Takai, also a Democrat, has already expressed reservations about the bill. But, like the Senate, that chamber is also controlled by the GOP.