Another fast track trade vote expected in U.S. Senate

Opponents of fast track trade legislation planned numerous rallies and other events as the U.S. Senate was poised to vote Tuesday on the controversial measure.

Unable to pass the fast track bill that just barely squeaked through the Senate in May, the U.S. House of Representatives resorted to sending back a different version of the legislation on June 19, the Citizens Trade Campaign reported.

“This is the big one,” the Citizens Trade Campaign said.

“The overall trade package sent back by the House is considerably worse than the already-bad package previously approved by the Senate.  We obviously want the Senate to reject this new package.”

According to opponents, the House package would weaken human trafficking measures; eliminate simple currency measures and other enforcement provisions; and even prohibit the consideration of climate solutions in future trade negotiations.

“The fact that the House could not find the votes to pass the Senate-approved Fast Track bill is a testament to the strong public opposition to the legislation,” the Citizens Trade Campaign said. “The current merry-go-round of bills signals just how unpopular job-killing trade policy is across the country, with Congress members desperate to cover themselves from the constituent fury they’ll face back home if fast track ever passes for real.”

Under fast track, the Obama administration could push free trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership through Congress without amendments.