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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Liberal groups are ready to make a last stand against President Obama’s trade agenda in the Senate with Elizabeth Warren, on of their strongest allies on the issue. [Reposted from The Hill | Peter Schroeder | June 22, 2015] The Senate is scheduled to take a key procedural vote on fast-track legislation on Tuesday that if successful…
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a 12-country NAFTA-style trade deal with two serious problems. It doesn’t work, and it’s bad for democracy. [Reposted from the Huffington Post | Stan Sorscher | June 19, 2015] First, everyone is in favor of trade. We can have good trade policy that raises living standards or bad trade policy that…
They experienced the thrill of an unexpected victory, thwarting President Barack Obama’s trade agenda in a dramatic showdown on the House floor. [Reposted from Politico | Lauren French | June 18, 2015] A week later, House Democrats appear to be on the verge of an agonizing defeat. But facing that sudden reversal of fortune, lawmakers…
The plan still faces several procedural hurdles and Democratic resistance. [Reposted from Politico | Jake Sherman and Manu Raju | June 18, 2015] President Barack Obama’s trade agenda was jolted back to life Thursday, as the House voted narrowly to grant him fast-track authority to finalize a sweeping accord with 11 other Pacific Rim nations.…
Scores of reporters swarmed Sen. Patty Murray after she cut an eleventh-hour deal to help salvage President Barack Obama’s trade agenda in May. [Reposted from Politico | Manu Raju and Burgess Everett | June22, 2015] She could have taken a victory lap. But Murray was eager to escape. “Alright you guys, that’s all I’m going…