Action on Trade Pacts Likely Delayed, McConnell Says

[Judi Lynn]

Action on Trade Pacts Likely Delayed, McConnell Says
JULY 21, 2011, 8:17 P.M. ET.
By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON And SIOBHAN HUGHES

WASHINGTON—Congressional action on stalled trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama will likely be delayed until September, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday, as other lawmakers said they are working to clear a major obstacle to ratifying the pacts.

Mr. McConnell (R., Ky.) said on the Senate floor it is unlikely there will be action on the trade agreements before Congress takes a scheduled monthlong recess in August.

"We've got a lot of other urgent business to take care of around here," Mr. McConnell said. However, Mr. McConnell called on the Obama administration to formally submit the deals anyway as a show of good faith with the trading partners so "we can work to pass them when we return."

Separately, Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), said he has rounded up enough Senate Republican votes to pass a renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance, a program that helps workers laid off as a result of trade agreements.

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