The U.S. Senate approves a bill that has been panned by labor groups.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
The U.S. Senate approved a bill that was panned by labor groups but championed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon).
The “fast-track” proposal now heads to President Barack Obama for a signature that would pave the way for the United States to join 12 Pacific nations in a trade agreement.
“Today the U.S. Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to step into the ring with the world and fight for the best deals for American workers and employers, instead of retreating to our corner,” Wyden said.
The measure passed on a 60-38. Republicans supported it while liberal Democrats were opposed.
The measure would allow Obama to negotiate global trade deals that Congress could approve or reject, but not change. The administration was seeking the “fast track” as it works to complete a round of trade negotiations involving 12 nations along both sides of the Pacific Ocean, including Japan.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, hailed the measure as “the most important bill that will pass the Senate this year,” and one that will prove to be an aid to the economy.
(SOURCE: Associated Press)
Portland business leaders celebrated the move.
Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance, said the bipartisan vote will ultimately boost the state and regional economy.
“This is a major victory for our statewide economy. Oregon is one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation where nearly half a million jobs are connected to international trade,” McDonough said. “Congressional negotiations on TPA were led by Oregon’s Senator Wyden and received the support of U.S. House Representatives Blumenauer, Bonamici, Walden and Schrader. They all did the right thing for Oregon jobs and for the regional economy. We want to thank them and applaud their leadership.”
(SOURCE: Portland Tribune)
Wyden is enjoying the victory right now, but the saga dismayed some of his supporters.
“It’s not business as usual, the relationship has been damaged,” said Tom Chamberlain, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO, of Wyden and of the Oregon House members who voted for the fast-track bill.
On Wednesday, Wyden turned aside questions about how the trade issue will affect his re-election: “We’ll talk about politics when the election season comes along,” he said, adding that he is focused now on helping shepherd through to final passage the other bills associated with the fast-track measure.
(SOURCE: OregonLive.com)
