*BOG GROUP* Senate Gives Obama Huge Win On Trade

[yallerdawg]

Bipartisan legislation (60-37)! 13 Senate Democrats took a stand for America's future and voted to authorize our Democratic president to negotiate trade agreements following Congressional rules and guidelines.

The Senate on Tuesday handed President Barack Obama the biggest legislative victory of his second term, with a dramatic vote clearing the way for major trade agreements with Pacific Rim nations and the European Union.

The vote all but ensures the passage of legislation that will allow Obama to "fast-track" the trade pacts he negotiates through Congress, preventing filibusters or amendments. Liberals have long assailed Obama's trade agenda, but Republicans successfully wooed a bloc of Democrats led by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to secure enough votes to overcome a filibuster.

The vote came down to the wire, thanks to an eleventh-hour reversal by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who announced his opposition in a bombastic an op-ed for Breitbart News that sent Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) scrambling for additional Democratic support.

With the 60-vote threshold clearred, the path is now open for the Senate to take a final vote on the legislation on Wednesday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/23/senate-fast-track_n_7645348.html

[Iliyah]

1. Onslaught re: Pres O ensues.

[YoungDemCA]

3. This is the Barack Obama Group

nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. You have posted in a group that is a safe haven.

Please delete this.

[yallerdawg]

5. Politics make strange bedfellows.

It has been argued the best bipartisan legislation is the kind that makes everyone cringe, grit their teeth and vote for the common good.

The 'fringe' also manages to come together.

Sessions, Shelby among only 5 GOP 'no' votes on TPA procedural vote

In a statement, Sessions blasted the majority who voted "yes," arguing that the trade deal will lead to the loss of American jobs. He also said the Trans-Pacific Partnership may also threaten U.S. sovereignty because language in the deal would create a trans-national organization that could impact American immigration and labor policy.

"Washington broke arms and heads to get that 60th vote—not one to spare—to impose on the American people a plan which imperils their jobs, wages, and control over their own affairs," the senator said. "It is remarkable that so much energy has been expended on advancing the things Americans oppose, and preventing the things Americans want."

Shelby said in a statement that he voted "no" because he had reservations about Obama's negotiating skills, adding that he believed the president has overstepped his presidential authority through executive actions on immigration and negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran.

"While I support the principle of free trade, I voted against moving forward on a bill that would provide the president with 'fast-track' authority," he said. "President Obama has abused the power of his office many times, and I have serious concerns with his ability to negotiate a trade deal that will be in the best interest of the American people."

Also siding with Alabama's senators were two presidential candidates – Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rand Paul, R-Ky. The fifth GOP "no" vote was Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

What does it say about Democrats who align with Shelby, Sessions, Cruz, and Paul?

[ucrdem]

6. Great news but it's still got a long way to go.

The sticking points like intellectual property rights and US access to Japanese markets are still being negotiated, and once it's wrapped up and sent to Congress we're going to go through this whole drama all over again. But still this is very encouraging!