Dems deal Obama huge defeat on trade
In a staggering blow to President Barack Obama’s trade agenda, the House easily defeated a measure to help workers displaced by free trade known as Trade Adjustment Assistance. The aid package was critical to securing Democratic support for fast-track trade authority for the president, which he’s seeking to complete the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. The vote was 126-302.
The vote came after President Barack Obama, in a last-ditch effort, went to the Capitol Friday and asked House Democrats to “play it straight” on a decisive vote just hours away.
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Obama spent roughly 45 minutes with Democratic lawmakers, taking no questions but telling his party to “vote your values,” according to a source in the room.
But Democratic lawmakers rebuffed him hours later, voting overwhelmingly to scuttle the trade package that was a centerpiece of the president’s second-term agenda. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who had remained silent for weeks on the trade issue, went to the House floor shortly before the vote to speak against the free trade deal.
“Whatever the deal is with other countries,” she said, “we want a better deal for America’s workers.”
The House could re-vote on TAA next week. House Republican leaders say they have 100 votes for that bill, and Democrats need to provide 118. On Friday, Democrats provided 40, while 86 Republicans supported it. In other words, Democrats would need to essentially triple their their vote total to pass the measure.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/barack-obama-capitol-hill-trade-deal-118927.html#ixzz3csJFMZnD
