IPFS News Link • Obama Administration
Obama trade bill in trouble – JAKE SHERMAN, JOHN BRESNAHAN and DOUG PALMER
• prn.fmAt this point, upward of 75 House Republicans could vote against trade promotion authority if it comes up for a vote in the coming weeks, according to aides and lawmakers involved in the process. Some of the lawmakers fear job losses in their districts from free trade; others distrust Obama and oppose giving him more power.
House GOP leaders will begin officially canvassing for votes Friday, but they've been in private strategy sessions for weeks, learning about the intricacies of the bill from Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
House Democrats, meanwhile, say just 12 to 20 of their lawmakers support Obama's request. That figure, if it holds, would amount to a stinging rebuke of a president by his own party.
"It's very low on the Democratic side," Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said, commenting on the support. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said the 12-to-20 figure is "probably pretty accurate" but added the White House is keeping the count. The Senate is generally expected to pass the measure.