Senators propose giving Obama ‘fast-track authority’ for trade deals [View all]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/09/senators-propose-giving-obama-fast-track-authority-for-trade-deals/



Senators propose giving Obama ‘fast-track authority’ for trade deals
By Agence France-Presse
Thursday, January 9, 2014 17:51 EST

Lawmakers on Thursday proposed empowering US trade negotiators to push ahead major deals with Pacific Rim and European Union nations, but the move faces stiff opposition.

Three key lawmakers on trade policy introduced a bill to give President Barack Obama “fast-track authority,” which would allow his team to negotiate agreements that Congress could approve or reject — without making changes.

Supporters said the four-year extension of the powers, which last ended in 2007, is indispensable to speeding up trade negotiations.

The Obama administration has put a high priority on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, seeing it as tying the United States more firmly to the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.