Obama quest for fast-track trade bill defeated for now in House

[Ichingcarpenter]

The House of Representatives on Friday delivered a blow, though perhaps a temporary one, to President Barack Obama's signature goal of strengthening ties with Asia when it defeated one measure, but approved another important to finishing a Pacific Rim trade pact.

In a dramatic vote, Obama's own Democrats, as well as Republicans, failed to produce enough support to approve a bill that would have given aid to workers who lose their jobs as a result of U.S. trade deals with other countries. The measure was soundly rejected in a 302-126 vote.

That was quickly followed by the House's narrow approval of a separate measure to give Obama "fast-track" authority to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. But the legislation is stuck in the House because of the defeat Obama and House Speaker John Boehner suffered on the first vote.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/12/us-usa-trade-idUSKBN0OS0CC20150612

[merrily]

1. He gets fast track, but not worker training. Worst possible combo for most

Americans. Total victory for Koch brothers, ALEC, et al.

Supposedly, Democrats were opposing worker training because they were going to defeat TPP. Instead, they defeated only worker training.

This reeks of D.C. kabuki, ala Amash Conyers.