Thursday, June 18, 2015
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
President Barack Obama and top Republicans in Congress joined forces Wednesday on a quick, bipartisan rescue attempt for the administration’s trade agenda, left for dead in the House last week in a revolt carried out by Democrats and backed by organized labor.
Officials said the Republican-controlled House would vote today on a stand-alone bill to give Obama the enhanced negotiating authority the administration seeks as part of an effort to complete a 12-nation trade deal with Pacific Rim countries.
In addition, House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a firm pledge that the Republican-controlled Congress will pass legislation “in a timely manner” providing continued aid to workers who lose their jobs because of imports – a key demand of Democrats.
At the White House, Obama had a pair of meetings with pro-trade Democrats to try to firm up their support for the rescue strategy – sessions scheduled so hastily that they took place just before the annual White House picnic for lawmakers. In the meetings, Obama restated his commitment to working with leaders in Congress to get both bills to his desk, the White House said.