WASHINGTON — President Obama’s success in rescuing his high-priority trade legislation from a rebellion by fellow Democrats strengthens his hand internationally and paves the way for completion of the most expansive economic agreement in generations. [Reposted from The New York Times | Peter Baker | June 24, 2015] While the turbulent process was embarrassing for…
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2015 Demand for Trade Change Hits New High Washington (June 23, 2015) – Michael Stumo, CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) released the following statement: “The Senate narrowly approved a cloture motion to end debate on Fast Track today by a vote of 60-37. Three senators…
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According to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has a big benefit: With a signed TPP, American-made goods will finally enjoy tariff-free access to consumers in countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. However, some tariffs will not be dropped immediately, but instead will be phased out over a number of years. [Reposted…
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The Senate on Tuesday voted to advance President Obama’s trade agenda, approving a measure to end debate on fast-track authority. [Reposted from The Hill | Alexander Bolton | June 23, 2015] The 60-37 motion sets up a vote on final passage on Wednesday. If the Senate approves fast-track or trade promotion authority (TPA), it would…
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Real gross domestic product — the value of the production of goods and services in the United States, adjusted for price changes — decreased at an annual rate of 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP…
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Congress is about to give President Obama the authority to sign trade agreements that lawmakers will be able to vote up or down but not amend. Now, it is up to the administration to reach deals with other nations that live up to the high standards on labor rights, environmental protection, access to medicines and…
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Contact Kevin L. Kearns: 202 957 9994 (cell); 202 266 3980 (office) Domestic Manufacturers: Many Phony Arguments used by TPA Proponents Several key points to remember as the Senate considers TPA today: [Reposted from the USBIC site | Kevin Kearns | June 24, 2015] 1 — 95 percent of the world’s consumers do not…
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, seems reluctant to take a firm position on an issue dividing her party: whether President Obama should have fast-track trading authority for the immense trade deal he has been negotiating, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. With some progressive voters eyeing her with some…
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Here is the Senate Roll Call vote for the Fast Track vote today, June 23, 2015. Question: On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2146 ) Vote Number: 218 Vote Date: June 23, 2015, 11:04 AM Required…
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is moving forward with votes on President Obama’s trade agenda next week, even though pro-trade Democrats have yet to promise their support. [Reposted from The Hill | Alexander Bolton and Vicki Needham | June 18, 2015] McConnell on Thursday filed motions to advance fast-track authority and a separate package…
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