'Profound Disappointment' With House Trade Vote

Nearly one week after a House defeat of the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill that is an essential element of the president's package of Fast Track legislation, the House of Representatives today approved a Fast Track package without a renewal of TAA. Speaker Boehner will make a last ditch attempt to pass TAA on a separate vote later this month or next. The president will not sign a Fast Track package without TAA, but Senate approval is doubtful. President Obama must have Fast Track negotiating authority to pursue a sweeping, legacy-building trade agreement with 11 other Pacific Rim nations.

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Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica had the following response to today's vote:

Fast Track and accompanying trade agreements, if signed into law, would devastate the environment and set back the cause of workers' rights.

Sadly, we have come to expect Republicans to sell out the environment for the pursuit of corporate profits. But we expect more regard for environmental protection and respect for working families from President Obama and the Democrats who supported this bill. Our disappointment with the president is profound.