TPA and Fast Track

The congressional committees with jurisdiction over trade, in separate releases this week, issued a reminder about their authority over trade negotiations and Capitol Hill’s priorities in those talks. The Senate Finance Committee on Friday blasted out an explainer on Trade Promotion Authority , two days after the House Ways & Means Committee sent out a press release explaining the utility of the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism . Both releases highlighted actions members of the committee took last week. President Trump...

The Congressional Research Service has produced a primer on the fast-track authority conveyed under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 The report is a straight-up description and assessment of the law, offering no conclusions or recommendations. Moreover, it adds, “This report is not designed to address events that may occur in congressional consideration of implementing legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) or any other specific trade agreement under the BCTPAA. It will be updated only if...

Three House Democrats from Washington State who voted last year in favor of granting President Obama Trade Promotion Authority turned aside primary challenges on Tuesday and will enter the general election campaign as heavy favorites for re-election in the fall. All three Democratic lawmakers are seen as potential votes in favor of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, although they haven't yet taken a public position on the trade deal, which could be considered in a lame-duck session. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen...