President Barack Obama’s controversial trade agenda “survived a bad scare in the House on Thursday when the GOP rule governing debate for the package narrowly survived a 217-212 vote,” says The Hill.

Reps. Mark Takai and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii were among the 178 Democrats voting “nay” on the rule. Most party members worry about the impact fast-track trade authority for the president will have on labor interests.

Eight other Democrats voted for it while 34 Republicans bucked their own party and voted against it.

Matson facilities at Sand Island in Honolulu Harbor.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

“The tight vote foreshadows the challenge GOP leaders will face Friday, when the House votes on two critical pieces of Obama’s trade agenda: fast-track authority and a separate bill offering help to workers displaced by trade,” says The Hill. “GOP opposition to the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, as well as to fast-track, led Republicans to oppose their party’s rule.”

Read Civil Beat’s editorial on the proposed Trans Pacific Parthership, Fast Track for TPP Was the Right Move.

Then, argue about it all in our comments section below. But be civil, please.