Washington---US lawmakers vote again Thursday on key trade legislation, signaling congressional leaders' confidence they have sufficient votes to pass the measure which stalled last week, embarrassing President Barack Obama.
The bill in question is known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which would boost Obama's chances of finalizing a sweeping trade accord with 11 other Pacific nations that he could then bring to Congress for an up-or-down vote.
Should it pass the House of Representatives Thursday, it would go to the Senate, which could vote on it as early as next week.
Thursday's vote is seen as a do-over.
The bill narrowly passed the House last Friday, but an attached measure aimed at helping American workers displaced by globalization crashed to defeat, when most Democrats defied their president and voted against it as a means of stalling TPA.
But after a week of negotiations, cajoling, and discussions with the president, Congress's Republican leaders -- House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- said Wednesday they were "committed to ensuring both TPA and TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) get votes in the House and Senate and are sent to the president for signature."
Hurdles remain, however. Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi warned on Thursday that she "can't predict" that both bills would clear both chambers.
"I don't see a path right now for TAA," she told reporters.
Obama had huddled with pro-trade Democrat lawmakers at the White House Wednesday on the sidelines of the congressional picnic, stressing he was ready to do what it takes to get the measures over the finish line.
"He reiterated his commitment to working with leaders in Congress to pass both TPA and TAA and made clear that he will only back a path forward that sends both bills to his desk," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.
House Ways and Means Committee Paul Ryan, in an appeal on the House floor as the chamber advanced the bill, reminded members that "the world is watching us."
Ryan expressed disappointment that Democrats blocked the package last week, "but we're not going to be discouraged," he said.
"Enacting trade promotion authority is critical for our economy and for our national security, and so we're going to get it done here today."
Ryan and others spoke about America losing ground to its trade partners and competitors on the global stage, noting that since trade promotion authority lapsed several years ago, there have been 100 agreements worldwide, none of which have included the United States.
The Pacific trade agreement under negotiation would comprise an estimated 40 percent of global trade, a massive pact with Japan, Australia, Canada, Chile, Vietnam and other countries.
AFP
