House rejects Obama’s appeals, imperils trade bill

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Led by union-backed Democrats, the House delivered a stinging blow to President Barack Obama on Friday and left his ambitious global-trade agenda in serious doubt.

Republican leaders, who generally support Obama’s trade objectives, signaled they might try to revive the package as early as next week. But that could require the shifting of at least 90 votes within either or both parties, a heavy lift.

Friday’s setback was deep and personal for Obama, who made a surprise, last-minute trip to the Capitol to ask House Democrats to back him.

Not only did they reject him by the dozens, they were led by party leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who often has expressed deep admiration for the president. She joined in a tactic that even some Democrats called devious and cynical: voting against a favorite job-retraining program in order to imperil the trade package’s main component: “fast track” negotiating authority for Obama.

Hours earlier, Obama had specifically asked Democrats not to do that. But in a crowded House chamber, Pelosi urged her colleagues to ignore him.

“Slow down the fast track to get a better deal for the American people,” she said, drawing praise from labor unions, liberals and others who say free-trade deals send U.S. jobs abroad. Pelosi added possible new burdens to the legislative package, saying new highway funding and “environmental justice” should be linked to its passage if it’s revived.

Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, who voted against the bill, said in a statement, “Over the last 20 years, I have watched one trade agreement after another decimate working families. By passing fast-track trade authority, Congress would give all of our negotiating power to this and future presidents and surrender any ability to ensure future trade agreements will work for Ohioans.”

In a statement, Obama said the job retraining program “would give roughly 100,000 American workers access to vital support each year,” and he urged the House to pass it as soon as possible and send the entire trade package for him to sign.

Other presidents have had fast-track authority, which lets them propose trade agreements that Congress can ratify or reject but not amend. The administration is trying to conclude negotiations with 11 Pacific-rim countries including Japan and Canada. Other trade agreements could follow.