McConnell forges ahead with trade votes despite Dem holdouts

[neverforget]

McConnell forges ahead with trade votes despite Dem holdouts

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is moving forward with votes on President Obama’s trade agenda next week, even though pro-trade Democrats have yet to promise their support.

McConnell on Thursday filed motions to advance fast-track authority and a separate package of trade preferences for African nations combined with an extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a program that helps workers displaced by foreign competition.

The Senate will vote to end debate on fast-track Tuesday and then will vote on final passage of the measure later that day or Wednesday. Immediately afterward, the Senate will vote to end debate on the package of trade preferences and TAA, setting up a final vote on those Wednesday or Thursday.

Pro-trade Senate Democrats have yet to sign off on the plan and are demanding a variety of concessions to sweeten the deal.

McConnell needs at least 11 Democratic votes to make up for the expected loss of five Republicans who voted against fast-track last month.

But Democrats say it’s going to cost McConnell something extra, because he and Boehner have decoupled fast-track from TAA and cannot provide an ironclad promise that both will reach Obama at the same time.

Mitch McConnell (and the Orange Boehner too!) to Senate Democrats: trust me!


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[Agnosticsherbet]

1. They have control and the numbers to oass it without help.

Let their own people pass it and explain to their constituents why they pssed a bill that a lot of Republican voters don't like.

[neverforget]

4. They don't have enough Republicans to stop a filibuster thankfully

that's why they need some Democrats

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. I will not forget who votes for this.

[neverforget]

6. Neither will I. Sen Wyden is on my list and hope he gets primaried

but I doubt he will.

[pscot]

2. Democrats whine about bipartisanship

Republicans just take what they want.

[subterranean]

3. Why are they being called "pro-trade" Democrats?

That implies that opponents of the TPP are anti-trade, which is not true. Why not just say "pro-TPP" Democrats?

[riderinthestorm]

7. He wouldn't do this if he didn't have the votes

i interpret this to mean Obama has assured him there are Dems who are willing to be bought, and that its just a matter of negotiating the details.

I hate to be so cynical...

[neverforget]

8. I'm cynical too about this.

It's all done but the price.

[neverforget]

9. kick this once today