House Democrats Hand Obama Embarrassing Defeat on Trade Deal [View all]

[marmar]

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-12/obama-s-fast-track-trade-bill-vote-scuttled-by-house-democrats


Democrats blocked plans for a House vote on sending President Barack Obama his fast-track trade bill, handing him an embarrassing defeat on a second-term priority just hours after he made a rare visit to Capitol Hill to seek their support.

In a 126-302 vote Friday, Democrats helped reject a displaced workers’ aid program that they usually support, because the defeat meant the House couldn’t send the fast-track trade bill to Obama even if it passed in a symbolic vote.

“We have to slow down,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat. “Whatever the deal is with other countries, we want a better deal for America’s workers.”