US Senate Advances Fast-Track Trade Bill for Obama
Hirono and Schatz of Hawaii were among the majority of Democrats voting “nay” on the measure.
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to advance President Barack Obama’s controversial trade agenda, approving a measure to end debate on fast-track authority.
“The 60-37 motion sets up a vote on final passage on Wednesday,” says The Hill. “If the Senate approves fast-track or trade promotion authority (TPA), it would then be sent to Obama’s desk to become law.”
It was a dramatic vote, given that 60 votes were needed to invoke cloture and end debate on the bill. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz of Hawaii were among the majority of Democrats who voted against the measure.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Many Democrats oppose the measure because they say it will harm American workers. But Obama and a majority of Republicans believe that the trade authority is essential to relations with Asian countries including Japan and South Korea.
Fast-track authority would allow the president to send trade deals to the U.S. Congress for simple up-or-down votes, says The Hill: “The White House wants the authority to conclude negotiations on a sweeping trans-Pacific trade deal.”
