Legislation key to US President Barack Obama's trade agenda has passed a key hurdle in the Senate, just two weeks after it appeared to have failed.
The bill known as the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) or, more commonly, Fast Track, makes it easier for presidents to negotiate trade deals.
Supporters see it as critical to the success of a 12-nation trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The bill is expected to pass a final vote in the Senate on Wednesday.
Tuesday's 60-37 vote - just barely meeting the required 60 vote threshold - is the result of the combined efforts of the White House and many congressional Republicans to push the bill through Congress, despite the opposition of many Democrats.
This is primarily a tech news site, and it's generally good to avoid political news, but the TPP is a huge trade deal, negotiated in secret, that will have large ramifications for the world economy that affects us all, and that also has large implications for the accountability of major world governments to their citizens.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday June 24 2015, @05:46PM
This shit is bad news as it will allow corporations to go on a global rampage unimpeded. It will be up to citizens to put an end to it.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by bob_super on Wednesday June 24 2015, @06:08PM
At least, on the other treaty being secretly negotiated with Europe, the people on the other side of the pond are starting to put some serious pressure on their governments... So we may not get shafted from both ends.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Freeman on Wednesday June 24 2015, @06:30PM
Yay...., I'm in the USA. So, I'll still get shafted . . .
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday June 24 2015, @10:02PM
Shaft-ed is a bad mother (Shut your mouth)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 3, Insightful) by kaszz on Thursday June 25 2015, @12:16AM
The shaft root is the USA.. (I guess)
But for a deal to make it. Both parties must agree..