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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.
Original Submission
(Score: 5, Insightful) by SubiculumHammer on Wednesday June 24 2015, @05:41PM
Congress won't even wield its own power.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by LoRdTAW on Wednesday June 24 2015, @06:00PM
They are paid not to.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 24 2015, @08:50PM
Of course it's wielding it's own power. They just voted internally that when the actual treaty comes up for ratification they will have to pass it with a straight up or down vote; no amendments to the substance of the treaty.
In other words, they're wielding their power irresponsibly, incorrectly, and recklessly.
Which may mean that this democracy is even more dead. But let's try to be correct in the way they're not. :)