Fast-track negotiating authority clears first hurdle in US House

US President Barack Obama's efforts to pursue the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill, also known as fast-track negotiating authority, on June 11 overcame the first obstacle in the US House of Representatives to prepare for the final vote.

US House Speaker John Boehner at a press conference announcing TPA in Washington, DC on June 10. (Source: AFP/VNA).

According to a VNA reporter in Washington, with 217 votes in favor and 212 votes against, the US House of Representatives agreed to bring the bill on fast-track negotiating power to a vote on June 12.

In addition, with 397 votes in favor and 32 votes against, the US House of Representatives also passed a measure allowing funding to support workers who lose their jobs due to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, without cutting the budget for the Medicare health care program.

If approved by the House of Representatives, President Obama is expected to immediately sign it into law since the document was passed by the US Senate last month.

This would be a victory for the Obama administration, which has made concluding negotiations on the TPP with 11 other Asia-Pacific partners a foreign policy priority in its second term.

The bill gives the White House full authority to negotiate and agree on the terms of the TPP; once negotiations are completed, the US Congress can only approve or veto, but not adjust the agreed terms.

However, it is unclear whether the US House of Representatives will pass this bill as most Democratic congressmen and some Republican congressmen still voice strong opposition.

One reason Democratic lawmakers are not supporting the TPP is because of pressure from union voters who fear jobs could be lost under the TPP.

Analysts say winning TPA is a tough "battle" for the White House, and also reveals deep divisions within the Democratic Party that holds executive power./.

(According to VN+)