The Senate on Thursday advanced a bill to give President Obama “Fast Track” authority to sign international trade deals, but final passage from Congress remains uncertain.
The Senate voted 65-33 to advance the Trade Promotion Authority bill, beginning debate on a measure that has sharply divided lawmakers in both chambers.
While many Republicans believe the bill will help the U.S. economy by facilitating trade with foreign nations, many Democrats and some GOP conservatives believe trade deals hurt jobs and the economy.
The vote was preceded by passage of a measure that would crack down on trade-pact countries that manipulate currency, which trade opponents list as another reason not to give the president more power to enter into new deals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., agreed to hold a vote on the trade enforcement measure in exchange for Democratic support.
Earlier this week, Democrats blocked debate on the bill, in defiance of President Obama, who supports it.
Critics point to the growing trade deficit and decrease in the nation’s manufacturing plants as evidence that trade deals have not helped America.
“Unfair trade competition is real,” Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., argued before the vote.
Still, opponents including Sessions voted to advance the bill and plan to try to amend it.
Supporters of the trade deal include pro-trade Democrats, who say it will make it easier for Obama to negotiate the optimal trade deals for the United States.
The bill would allow Congress to vote for or against trade agreements, but would not permit amendments to the deal.
“In other words, it can’t be pecked to death with hundreds and hundreds of amendments,” Sen. Bill Nelson, R-Fla., said. “That’s why it’s called ‘Fast Track.’ ”
