[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]House clears another key trade item off President Obama’s to-do list[/title][fusion_text]Friday, June 26th 2015
The House cleared away another key trade item off President Obama’s to-do list, providing final congressional approval to an extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance programs. The renewal of TAA was originally included in a trade promotion bill but was removed after House Democrats stalled the combined legislation by voting en masse against the TAA section. GOP leaders then folded the TAA extension into a bill that renews duty-free status, or preferences, for imports from poor countries in Africa and elsewhere. The new TAA-preferences bill (HR 1295) passed the Senate by voice vote on Wednesday and was approved by the House Thursday, 286-138. The Trade Promotion Authority measure (HR 2146) was cleared by the Senate Wednesday for President Obama’s signature. House Democrats voted 175-6 in favor of the TAA-preferences bill Thursday since there was no longer any chance of using the issue to stop the TPA measure, which sets up the congressional process for considering new trade agreements. TAA programs, which expire Sept. 30, provide cash assistance and retraining to workers, businesses and farmers harmed by imports.
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