Democrats Turn Backs on Obama Over Trade Pact Gulf News
go to original June 13, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could cost us our internet freedom, labor rights, access to affordable medicine, the safety of our food, and protections that keep our water and air clean. (ExposeTheTPP)

Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives, spent much of this year saying she was trying to find “a path to yes” on the Pacific Rim trade deal sought by President Barack Obama, her close ally.

But on Friday, with legislation central to Obama’s pact coming before the House, Pelosi revealed she would vote “no,” joining other Democrats in handing the president a stunning defeat and leaving his trade agenda in limbo.

“When Leader Pelosi announced that she was voting against TAA, for undecided members it sealed the deal,” said Representative Steve Israel, a senior House Democrat.

The dramatic vote on the Trade Adjustment Assistance worker aid bill left Obama’s signature foreign policy initiative in doubt and deepened a rift between him and his party. This made Democrats look fractured and disorganised, a condition more typical in recent years of Republicans.

Lawmakers were pledging to try again next week to pass the bill rejected by Democrats, one focused on extending aid to American workers displaced by international trade, but the political damage to Obama was already done.

Read the rest at Gulf News

Related: Trade Deal's Setback Left Wall Street Unmoved. Why? (The New York Times)

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