AP sources: Obama delays final work on trade pacts

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

AP sources: Obama delays final work on trade pacts
By JULIE PACE, Associated Press – 9 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is putting off sending final legislation on three key free trade agreements to Capitol Hill until September because of the protracted talks over raising the nation's debt limit, two people familiar with the discussions said Wednesday.

Obama aides were ready to send the trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to lawmakers this week, the two said. But congressional leaders from both parties asked the administration to delay the agreements until after Congress returns from its August recess. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the delay has not been formally announced.

Obama has been a vocal supporter of the trade deals, touting them as job creators that could give the economy a much-needed jolt. The business community and most lawmakers, particularly Republicans, have also rallied around the agreements.

The White House said Wednesday it was still committed to finalizing the free trade agreements, known as FTAs, as well as a retraining assistance package for American workers displaced by trade. That program is known as Trade Adjustment Assistance, or TAA.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMahRgCgGhe4liCMqo01FaaJbETQ?docId=ad85d6179b2247ad8fc3f9cca094fda4

[No Elephants]

1. Oh, they'll give the economy a jolt all right. Only questions are, which nation's

economy will get the jolt and what kind of jolt will it be?

And how much will other nations tax or otherwise burden our exports versus how much we burden theirs?

Job creators? Like tax cuts are job creators? How's all that been working for ya, Joe and Jane Six Pack?

[Lasher]

2. We are screwed.

What a clusterfuck.

[xchrom]

3. Recommend

[Hubert Flottz]

4. "job creators"

Yes but, we need jobs here not in South Korea, Colombia and Panama. Right here in the USA! Forget Campaign cash for favors Mr. president and take care of America first. You were wrong about "bipartisanship" your are even more wrong to ship more jobs overseas in return for political bribes.