Barack Obama

What could go wrong?

This was supposed to be the easiest part. Just today on a cloture vote (supermajority rule) to consider debating and amending the TPA, we had a "procedural dispute." The Republican majority had allowed TPA and TAA (a bill providing further displaced worker benefits for job losses) to advance together as a concession to the Democrats.

Now, TAA alone would be a hard pill to swallow for House Republicans, but the Senate felt they could get the 2 bills approved.

Then, the Senate Democrats decided they really wanted 2 other separate bills added to the package. One about trade in Africa. The other about "currency manipulation." This second extra bill is basically the famous "poison pill."
Obama has explained adding more "currency manipulation" rules, even if agreed to by 11 other countries, would leave us open to charges by other nations of "currency manipulation" regarding Federal Reserve policies - a guaranteed veto by Obama.

The Republicans did not add the extra 2 bills -- the Democrats rejected just the 2 bills included. Done.

Who knows what's next? If anything.

Imagine 535 Congresspersons doing this to every chapter and verse of trade negotiations, and you now understand why Regular Order doesn't work and will not work.

Unless you want what we have had for years -- nothing.