Rep. Paul Ryan accused Democrats of making President Obama a “lame duck” president by opposing his trade deal last week.
“It’s ironic they’re the ones who are making him a very lame duck president,” the Wisconsin Republican told Fox News’ Chris Wallace. “There’s work to do in his party and I hope he can get that work done and we can fix this.”
In a big setback to Obama’s trade agenda, the House rejected a separate measure Friday that would have allowed so-called “Fast Track” legislation to move forward. It would give the president authority to negotiate trade deals that can’t be amended or filibustered by Congress.
Obama is still heavily lobbying House Democrats to come on board and allow the House to pass it in a second attempt planned for this week. It could be a tough lift, as top Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi opposed it at the last minute. GOP leaders are also trying convince more of their conference to support the package.
Ryan, who chairs the powerful Ways and Means Committee, has made clear he believes the onus is on Obama to provide the remaining needed votes to get the legislation through Congress. Failing to pass it would be a “massive mistake,” he told Wallace on Sunday.
“To say America is not going to engage in the world, that would be a massive mistake and a failure of American leadership,” he said.
