US: President Obama’s fast-track trade bill is poised to clear a procedural hurdle in the Senate; all but ensuring it will win final passage this week and be sent to the White House for his signature. Despite deep reservations from many in the president’s party, enough Democratic senators appear ready to join most Republicans to finish the legislation, which has sputtered in Congress but is a top White House priority.
“With just a little more trust, a little more cooperation, and simply voting consistently, we’ll get there,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday. “We shouldn’t let this opportunity for significant bipartisan achievement slip past us.”The politics of the trade vote have divided both parties, but especially Democrats, who worry it will cost American jobs. Earlier this month in a rare rebuke of Obama, House Democrats blocked a version of the fast-track measure from advancing.
Even though Republicans mostly support the trade agenda, McConnell must rely on about a dozen Democrats to reach the 60-vote hurdle needed to break a filibuster blocking the bill. Five Republicans are likely to defect. House approves new fast-track trade bill; outcome in Senate still uncertain House approves new fast-track trade bill; outcome in Senate still uncertain
