The House on Thursday just barely advance legislation that would provide President Obama with “fast track” trade negotiating powers, overcoming the opposition of almost every Democrat and a significant block of conservative Republicans.
The rule for considering these bills passed by a vote of 217-212, a vote that was only made possible thanks to the late decision of eight Democrats to vote for it, a rare show of support from Democrats who normally vote against Republicans at this stage of the legislative process.
That Democratic support was sorely needed, as nearly three dozen Republicans voted against the measure.
Passage of the rule allows the House to proceed to debate and take a final vote Friday on the trade promotion authority bill as well as the trade adjustment assistance act. The TPA extends powers awarded to the president to negotiate trade bills in an expedited fashion and with little opportunity for Congress to alter them.
The Trade Assistance Act would provide aid to workers who lose their jobs as a result of new trade deals.
The bill advanced following a heated debate over the impact of international trade deals, with most Democrats arguing that trade deals kill U.S. jobs. Republicans said they believe the pacts will open up markets for U.S. goods.
The debate marked an unusual rift between House Democrats and the White House, which sent top officials to Capitol Thursday for a last-ditch effort to win over a few more Democratic votes.
As of Thursday, only about 18 Democrats are expected to back TPA.
“We know this bill has been modeled after failed policies that have shuttered store windows and closed factories all across the nation,” House Rules ranking member Louis Slaughter, D-N.Y., said. “That is the legacy, ladies and gentlemen, of free trade.”
Rules Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, pointed out that trade has benefited America. The United States, he said, boasts a trade surplus with its 20 current free-trade partners.
“Three million jobs in the Lone Star state of Texas are related to trade, and those jobs are growing nearly twice as fast as non-trade jobs,” House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said. “This is what’s happening. It’s the vibrancy of America.”
