HOUSE VOTES TO SLOW DOWN FAST TRACK FOR OBAMA’S TRADE AGENDA

[marym625]

Source: intercept

Democrats voted against TAA, a measure long-supported by liberals to provide job training and other assistance to workers negatively impacted by foreign trade, as a legislative maneuver to derail the effort to pass TPA. Both bills must be passed together so that they may be merged with the Senate version and sent to the president’s desk.

“Today the allegedly unstoppable momentum of the White House, GOP leadership and corporate coalition pushing Fast Track to grease the path for adoption of the almost-completed, controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal just hit the immovable object called transpartisan grassroots democracy,” Lori Wallach, the director of Public Citizens’ Global Trade Watch, said in a statement.

After TAA failed, Republicans quickly brought up a stand-alone trade promotion authority bill. The measure passed by a two-vote margin. But observers note the vote was a test to see where members stand. For a stand-alone trade promotion bill to advance on its own, the Senate would have to take up the entire package again.

House Republican leaders have scheduledanother vote for TAA on Tuesday. Speaker of the House John Boehner and Obama therefore have four days to persuade members of their parties to swallow their objections to TAA and TPA, respectively.


Read more: https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/06/12/house-votes-slow-fast-track-obamas-trade-agenda/

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TAA failed 126 to 302. Looks like we have work to do before Tuesday

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. marym625 doing a yeomans job - kudos - here is Politico take - too

After TAA failed, the House approved fast-track legislation, known as Trade Promotion Authority, in a 219-211 vote. But that vote was largely for show, because enactment of TPA is contingent on approval of TAA.

The House could vote again on TAA next week. If enough votes flipped to pass it, it would mean that TPA prevailed as well, because the two bills are interconnected.

House Republican leaders say they have 100 votes for TAA, and Democrats would need to provide 118 if another vote happens. On Friday, Democrats provided 40 votes for TAA, while 86 Republicans supported it. In other words, Democrats would need to essentially triple their vote total to pass the measure.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/barack-obama-capitol-hill-trade-deal-118927.html#ixzz3csZDidf1

[marym625]

2. THANKS!

That's great information!

We have to keep on top of this. I don't think it will get through the house but we'll have to make sure it doesn't. Then we have the Senate to worry about

[asiliveandbreathe]

3. Yrs, indeed - As I read the comments on the trade threads I

notice there is confusion (rightly so) with the voting re: TAA - TPA - TPP - your efforts to bring information to light is important for all!

[marym625]

4. Thanks again

It was extremely confusing for a few minutes there

We still don't know what will happen. Just hope it's the right thing. No fast track

[hedda_foil]

16. I'm pretty sure the Senate already passed TPA.

So it would only go back to the Senate if the House passed a different version of the bill.

[DCBob]

5. yeah. but sounds like they are going revote next week..

And most likely it will pass.

[marym625]

6. I think it will end up with the Senate

I don't think it will pass. And I will do everything I can to make sure it doesn't pass

[nlkennedy]

7. Offer a caveat to the millions of exploited citizens...

I'm surprised Obama is not smart enough to do something for the base to take the sting off...

Reclassify marijuana?

Something...

[marym625]

8. I don't understand why he is acting like he is

From what I've read about how he acted when he went to the Hill this morning, he was rather, uhm, not nice. Pissed some Democrats off. I don't get it

[PassingFair]

18. He has obviously promised that he would deliver this.

Probably thought he would have no trouble.

I am so proud of Elizabeth Warren, and of our progressive caucus in congress.

[marym625]

19. Yes. but in return for what?

I am too. Thank goodness for people like Warren, Sanders, Brown and a few others.

Just unbelievable. The whole thing

[florida08]

9. Speaker Pelosi

Is my hero. My worry is if it goes back to the senate and they strip out the TAA. Is that possible? Would Obama sign a deal like that?

[marym625]

10. I was very happy with Pelosi today

I don't know. I really have no idea what will end up happening. But yes to the Obama question. At least I think he would

[florida08]

11. thanks Mary

Too many unknowns but hopefully todays rejection was good sign on better legislation for working Americans. Sadly I agree with you on Obama.

[davidpdx]

12. This thing is like the Blob, it never dies no matter how many times it's shot down

At what point do they just quit and give up?

They have a few recesses coming up; one for the 4th of July weekend and then the summer recess. They need to focus on the REAL problems at hand.

[marym625]

13. I wish President Obama fought this hard for single payer

Or bank regulations. Or job bills. Or on the budget last year that ended parts of Dodd-Frank, or prosecuting war criminals, or ending the bush tax cuts.

[davidpdx]

14. I know

I still very much support President Obama, but he's wrong on this issue.

[marym625]

15. Big time

And frankly, I find his attitude and words pretty arrogant and nasty. Had I seen this side of him before, I would not have supported him as strongly as I did. Makes me wonder about many things. Mostly, what the hell us up with this?

[davidpdx]

17. Only time will tell

Once he leaves office I'm sure he'll write a book at some point (within two or three years). It will be interesting to hear what he says after the fact, especially if it is unsuccessful.