Ted Cruz is now a "nay":
As a general matter, I agree (as did Ronald Reagan) that free trade is good for America; when we open up foreign markets, it helps American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.
But TPA in this Congress has become enmeshed in corrupt Washington backroom deal-making, along with serious concerns that it would open up the potential for sweeping changes in our laws that trade agreements typically do not include. …
Enough is enough. I cannot vote for TPA unless McConnell and Boehner both commit publicly to allow the Ex-Im Bank to expire — and stay expired. And, Congress must also pass the Cruz-Sessions amendments to TPA to ensure that no trade agreement can try to back-door changes to our immigration laws. Otherwise, I will have no choice but vote no.
There’s too much corporate welfare, too much cronyism and corrupt dealmaking, by the Washington cartel. For too long, career politicians in both parties have supported government of the lobbyist, by the lobbyist, and for the lobbyist – at the expense of the taxpayers. It’s a time for truth. And a time to honor our commitments to the voters.
Or, in other words, Senator Cruz is running for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination and decided he couldn't afford to take a principled stand for free trade and piss off the party's base at the same time, so he chose self-interest over a possible defibrillation of the moribund U.S. economy. But he does still race some valid points. As is always the case when Democrat presidents negotiate foreign trade deals, they always pump them full of leftwingnut Agenda crap that doesn't have anything to do with trade, and it's always a judgment call for free traders whether the economic benefits outweigh the non-economic price. Senator Cruz made first one call then flip-flopped to the other. And I respect both.
Interestingly, at least a handful of Senate Dems may be joining him:
Backers of fast-track likely need eleven Democrat votes because five of the Senate’s Republicans voted against the trade package last month.
Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) said Monday they are still reviewing their options, while Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) insisted he wants fast-track to remain bundled with Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), an aid program for workers hurt by foreign competition.
Democrat Senators Chris Coons (DE), Michael Bennet (CO), Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Claire McCaskill (MO) declined to say Monday evening how they would vote.
That's quite an "ObamaTrade" high-wire act on a unicycle while keeping a dozen plates spinning that Mitch McConnell has going on here. Given my effective neutrality on TPA, it should be an entertaining finish no matter what happens - although a crash and burn is looking more likely all the time.
UPDATE: The elderly Campbell's Soup kid pulled it off - and Barack Obama merits little of the "credit" for it:
The outcome of this key procedural vote had been in doubt as a group of fourteen pro-trade Democrats weighed whether to continue their support of the bill out of concern that a related workers’ assistance package might not pass both chambers.
But after repeated assurances by GOP congressional leaders that workers’ assistance measure will be adopted, thirteen out of fourteen backed the bill.
The vote was 60 to 37, passing by the slimmest margin needed to pass.
A final Senate vote on fast-track could come as soon as later Tuesday, and it will then head to Barack Obama’s desk for his signature. [emphasis added]
I guess Mitch McConnell is an effective Senate Majority Leader after all....when vital legislation is backed by the Obama White House.
Harry (G)Reid must be sooooooo jealous.
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