POLITICO: The Senate on Friday approved a “fast track” trade promotion authority bill that will help President Barack Obama conclude a massive Asia-Pacific trade agreement and sets the stage for a fierce battle in the House when lawmakers return in June.
The 62-37 vote followed two weeks of debate on the measure, which would allow the White House to submit trade agreements to Congress for straight up-or-down votes without any amendments. It also would renew the five-decade-old Trade Adjustment Assistance program to help retrain workers who have lost their jobs because of trade.
Fourteen Democrats joined with 48 Republicans to give Obama the authority. A strong push was needed to overcome efforts to delay the bill by opponents including Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the Senate’s leading critic of trade agreements; Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a favorite of the progressive wing of the Democratic party; and Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent running for president… (more)
