San Diego’s Congressional delegation largely united behind new “fast track” trade authority for President Obama, even though the legislation was at least temporarily set back in the House of Representatives
Democratic Reps. Susan Davis and Scott Peters and Republican Darrell Issa voted in favor of both Trade Promotion Authority, which passed, and Trade Adjustment Assistance, which was defeated. Republican Duncan Hunter voted against both, and Democrat Juan Vargas did not vote.
The companion bills faced opposition from an unusual coalition of union-backed liberal Democrats and Tea Party Republicans.
“We applaud Congress — especially our San Diego Reps. Darrell Issa, Scott Peters, and Susan Davis — for the passage of Trade Promotion Authority, and urge Congress to reconsider the worker assistance measure known as TAA,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The two bills are considered crucial to allowing the president to complete the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact covering 40 percent of the world economy.
“America needs to be the nation that makes the rules and sets the standards in a global marketplace,” said Peters after the vote. “That means giving the President of the United States the ability to negotiate trade agreements with developing nations with the greatest potential for growth.”
“If America doesn’t seize this opportunity to lead, other nations — especially China — will,” he added.
Both bills have to pass for the president to get the fast-track authority he sought, and Congress is expected to vote again next week.
