Senate Democrats Block Vote On Trade Deal

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. speaks at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Legislative Conference and Presidential Forum in Washington, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats have dealt President Barack Obama a stinging setback on trade by blocking efforts to begin full-blown debate on his initiatives.

All but one Senate Democrat defied the president Tuesday by voting to prevent consideration of his request for “fast track” trade authority. Such authority would let Obama present trade agreements that Congress could ratify or reject, but not amend.

Proponents needed 60 votes to thwart a Democratic filibuster, but managed only 52 in the 100-member Senate.

Obama’s supporters say they will try again, possibly starting in the House. But Tuesday’s vote highlighted the deep divide between Obama and the many congressional Democrats who say trade deals hurt U.S. jobs.

Democrats said Republicans must put more trade measures into the legislative package.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Score a BIG 1 for Elizabeth!

  2. A word to the wise to all potential 2016 Dem contenders: Keep Elizabeth Warren on your side!

  3. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    Wonder how the GOTPs are receiving the news…

  4. Looks like Ron Wyden Not Liz is calling the shots here.(“Eight pro-trade Senate Democrats emerged from a strategy meeting at 1 to declare their opposition to the motion to take up the bill.”) New York Times.

  5. Avatar for bdtex bdtex says:

    I must admit that I have not kept up too much with the details of the trade deal so I’m not sure what to think about this. I find it troubling that a candidate who only got 53% of the vote in MA against Scott Brown while Pres. Obama got 61% of there,would seemingly have so much clout. Seems manufactured.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

221 more replies

Participants

Avatar for bdtex Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for chammy Avatar for counter_coulter Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for eduardoinohio Avatar for dcobranchi Avatar for judie_vc Avatar for rollotamasi13 Avatar for denisj Avatar for steve_i_am Avatar for darcy Avatar for martinheldt Avatar for johnnyreb Avatar for benjoya Avatar for kitty Avatar for manutgop Avatar for ronbyers Avatar for dnl Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for beattycat Avatar for stevedc Avatar for professorpoopypants

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: