Trade-off: Deal splits Democrats between business, labor

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Democrat on a key House committee said today that the broadest bipartisan trade bill in years — and President Barack Obama's effort to sell it to his congressional allies — is in trouble unless it is rewritten to accommodate concerns over American jobs and the environment.

"I'm out to defeat" it, Ways and Means Committee ranking Democrat Sander Levin of Michigan told reporters. "That's the overwhelming view of Democrats in the House."

His comments came as Obama embarked on a lobbying effort for long-sought legislation that would allow him to negotiate trade accords, subject to an up-or-down vote by Congress. Big political stakes loom for Obama, both at home and overseas.

He's trying to advance talks on a sweeping partnership with 11 Pacific nations, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to address a joint session of Congress on April 29.

House and Senate committees are set to consider the legislation in the days before the address. Obama has said he would sign the bill if Congress passes it.

The issue shadows the 2016 presidential campaign, too, as Hillary Rodham Clinton launches her bid to unite the Democrats. Levin refused to say whether he's spoken with her or her aides on the subject.