WASHINGTON – A controversial trade promotion authority bill fell eight votes short in the Senate Tuesday, meaning that broader global trade deals, especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership, cannot get on a “fast track” to approval.
To choke off debate on the fast track bill, President Barack Obama will have to persuade members of his own party to give him authority to negotiate a trade agreement without concern that the pact will be altered by Congress.
While 51 Republicans voted for the trade promotion bill, only one Democrat backed the Democratic president, making it a rare case where ideological lines are so blurred that the outcome is unpredictable until the last minute. The vote was 52-45 — favoring moving forward on the bill — but a three-fifths majority, 60 votes, is required to shut down a filibuster.
“I don’ t question the motive of the trade deal. But we don’t have it right yet, so we can’t give up our leverage., said Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., at a panel with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and trade, environmental and industry experts right before the vote.
The stalled motion Tuesday gives liberal and labor groups more time to mobilize opposition to the bigger trade bill. It also gives lawmakers another chance to rectify the problems that they claim make the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement unacceptable.
Ron Wyden, D-Ore., an advocate for free trade, tweeted against ending debate on trade promotion authority, declaring he would only support fast track if other bills helping American workers were linked to it.
The coveted Trans-Pacific Partnership is a Pacific Rim free trade deal with 12 nations including Vietnam, where low labor costs have raised concerns about offshoring of American jobs. And though China is not involved in the deal yet, legislators worry the president may open that door later in the process.
The trade promotion authority (TPA) bill demands up-or-down votes in the Congress once the president signs and submits the comprehensive trade agreements. The expedited procedure — “fast-tracking” – permits no further debates or amendments.
The previous TPA expired in July 2007. The bill in question, if passed, would reauthorize it until July 2018, or even 2021, upon presidential request.