House Dems Block Obama’s Fast Track Trade Legislation
Democrats blocked plans for a House vote on sending US President Barack Hussein Obama his fast-track trade bill, handing him a defeat on a 2nd-term priority just hours after he made a visit to Capitol Hill to seek their support.
In a 126-302 vote Friday, Democrats helped reject a displaced workers’ aid program that they usually support, because the defeat meant the House could not send the fast-track trade bill to Mr. Obama even if it passed in a symbolic vote.
“We have to slow down,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) “Whatever the deal is with other countries, we want a better deal for America’s workers.”
House Republicans quickly regrouped, with one aide saying they hoped to hold another vote Tuesday the program to help workers hurt by trade.
The Obama’s administration lobbied for months for expedited trade negotiating authority, saying it is needed to advance trade agreements that will keep the US competitive with overseas rivals.
In a sign of the push, earlier Friday press secretary Josh Earnest forwarded a Twitter posting by Mr. Obama’s ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, who wrote, “My dad, JFK, was for free trade. Democrats today should be too.”
Mr. Obama went to Capitol Hill Friday morning for a private meeting with House Democrats to push for passage of the trade measures. Afterward, several members said they still were not convinced.
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Paul Ebeling
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