Republicans in the House of Representatives sought to resurrect Barack Obama’s trade agenda and plans for a Pacific Rim free trade zone, joining with a small band of pro-trade Democrats to vote to grant the president the “fast-track” authority he needs to conclude such pacts.
Yesterday’s vote saw the House decide 218-208 to approve a stripped-down version of a trade bill that had failed to advance last week because of a move by Democrats to block an associated worker aid programme.
Debate in Washington over trade will now return to the Senate as soon as next week. If the president and his Republican allies succeed in convincing pro-trade Democrats in that chamber to continue their support, the legislation could be on his desk within a week.