CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS – TRADE
Updated Aug. 4, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.
‘Path Forward’ on Trade Deals Could Involve Complex Series of Votes
By Ben Weyl, CQ Staff
Senate leaders announced late Wednesday they have agreed on “a path forward” to consider three long-stalled trade deals along with a renewal of a program to aid workers whose jobs are lost to foreign competition.
The leaders provided no details, but a business advocate familiar with the plan said it appears to call for several legislative steps, involving one or two other trade program that have lapsed, and would likely not be concluded until October.
In statements issued simultaneously, Majority Leader
U.S. Trade Representative
The business advocate, who spoke on background, outlined a process that would begin with the House renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a program designed to help developing countries that has expired. The Senate would follow by approving the GSP renewal, along with an amendment renewing Trade Adjustment Assistance.
The House would then await submission of the South Korea, Colombia and Panama trade agreements before acting on TAA. The chamber would hold four separate votes: one on a bill including the worker assistance program, GSP and perhaps an extension of trade preferences for several countries in the Andean region of South America; and three others on the implementing bills for the major trade pacts. It is possible the renewal of the Andean trade preferences could be attached to the Colombia treaty, the business advocate said.
The four bills would then go to the Senate for final approval.
Without commenting on any specifics, Kirk said he was “very pleased that Sens. Reid and McConnell have agreed on a path forward in the Senate for the pending trade agreements and Trade Adjustment Assistance. The administration looks forward to working with leaders of the Senate and House after Congress returns in September to secure approval of these important initiatives for America’s working families.”
Earlier this week, President Obama mentioned ratification of the trade deals as one of his priorities for aiding the struggling U.S. economy.
TAA Pre-Condition for Democrats
The administration has insisted on tying passage of the TAA benefits to the trade pacts, though GOP lawmakers have strongly objected — further delaying the deals, which largely have bipartisan support.
In his statement, Reid reiterated his vow to see TAA benefits advance before the trade deals. “I do not support movement on the [trade agreements], which I have never supported, until TAA has passed,” he said.
McConnell said he was “eager to get moving and finally pass” the trade deals, adding, “Although I do not personally support TAA, I know there is bipartisan support for this program.”
‘Path Forward’ on Trade Deals Could Involve Complex Series of Votes
In recent weeks, GOP lawmakers signaled that the impasse was nearing an end. Republican Sens.
Last week, House Ways and Means Chairman
The Senate would first pass a compromise version of the TAA benefits drafted by Camp along with Senate Finance Chairman
No Major Obstacles Foreseen
Senate Republicans will insist on amendments to the TAA package when it is brought to the Senate floor, but there are likely sufficient votes to defeat them, a GOP aide said Wednesday evening, adding that there would be strong support for the trade deals.
Speaker
“Upon reaching a path forward for the three pending free-trade agreements in the Senate, Senate leaders have cleared an important hurdle,” Boehner said. “I look forward to the House passing the [trade deals], in tandem with separate consideration of TAA legislation, as soon as possible.
The trade deals are a top priority for the business community. U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas J. Donohue praised the Senate leaders’ breakthrough and called for swift action to pass the deals.
“These trade agreements are one of the best ways to create jobs in America now. The chamber remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to round up the votes and pass these deals,” Donohue said on Thursday. “We must not see any more roadblocks thrown in front of these deals during the short legislative session that remains. While our economic recovery is stalling, delaying action on these job-creating trade agreements is absolutely inexcusable.”
First posted Aug. 3, 2011 10:42 p.m.