TPA tiptoes closer to finish line

Trade Promotion Authority, a bill that grants the president authority to conclude trade deals without congressional interference, moved forward in the Senate Thursday morning.    A bill granting the president authority to conclude trade deals without congressional amendments moved forward in the Senate Thursday morning by a 62-38 vote.
   Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has been viewed by many as a champion of sorts for keeping both Republicans and Democrats at the negotiating table on Trade Promotion Authority legislation and not allowing the measure to succumb once again to Capitol Hill’s partisan politics, said of the vote, “I’m very happy the Senate has decided to take another step forward on this very important initiative.”
   In order for TPA to move forward, the Senate required agreement on a variety of additional trade-related measures, including protections for workers displaced by free trade deals. McConnell reportedly told waffling Democratic senators this morning that legislation renewing the controversial U.S. Export-Import Bank’s charter will be voted upon before the end of June. 
   However, these recent additions themselves threaten to sink the TPA legislation if they’re not approved by House lawmakers and the White House, i.e. if it reaches the president’s desk and is vetoed.
   Meanwhile, President Obama seeks to wrap up the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement with 11 Pacific Rim countries, and has been without trade promotion authority for much of his administration. U.S. diplomats are also currently negotiating the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union, as well as a trade services agreement through the World Trade Organization.
   TPA is considered an essential tool for convincing other nations that any trade agreement they sign with the president won’t be undermined by U.S. legislators.