Eleven Senate Dems Warn Reid On TPA As Uneasiness In Caucus Grows

摘要

A group of 11 Senate Democrats and one independent who have historically voted against trade agreements last week outlined their worries about renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and laid out their demands that any future TPA bill bolster congressional oversight of trade negotiations and be part of a larger competitiveness package. While none of the letter's signatories are on the Senate Finance Committee and most voted against the three FTAs approved by Congress in 2011, the letter signals a growing uneasiness among the Senate Democratic caucus about TPA renewal and increased attention to the issue following the introduction this month of TPA bill by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and other key lawmakers.