A think tank connected to former President Bill Clinton pushed for approval of Trade Promotion Authority a day before the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on it. The Progressive Policy Institute, which says it served as “Bill Clinton’s idea mill” in the 1990s, released a statement advocating for Trade Promotion Authority, calling the House vote a “moment of truth” for progressives.

“Opening overseas markets to U.S. exports is integral to putting America back on a high-growth trajectory,” Ed Gerwin, senior fellow for trade and global opportunity at the Progressive Policy Institute, said. “PPI therefore urges pro-growth progressives to support President Obama’s major trade initiatives. … New U.S. trade agreements can make vital progress on issues that are important to Democrats and progressives. They can, for example, tap a growing global middle class to fuel more inclusive American economic growth, strengthen and expand the reach of rules on labor rights and environment protection, and ‘democratize’ trade by empowering entrepreneurs, small businesses, and consumers to more directly participate in and benefit from global commerce.”