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CAPITOL HILL—The U.S. Congress has granted President Barack Obama and his successor a powerful tool to get trade deals approved: so-called “fast-track” authority that shields proposed pacts1 from legislative2 meddling3.
By a 60-38 vote, the Senate passed Trade Promotion4 Authority (TPA) late Wednesday, a measure that boosts prospects5 for two of the biggest trade deals in U.S. history. Under TPA, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership6 and the Trans-Pacific Partnership would be approved with simple-majority congressional votes. Lawmakers could not amend7 either accord.
“The key victory for American workers and products stamped ‘Made in the USA’ comes today,” said a jubilant Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell before the vote. “For American workers to have a fair shot in the 21st Century economy, it just makes sense to remove the unfair barriers that discriminate8 against them and the products that they make.”
Republican-led Congress Hands Obama Major Win on Trade
Having been approved by both houses of Congress, TPA goes to the White House for President Obama’s signature less than two weeks after backers fretted10 it would die on Capitol Hill. The House of Representatives initially11 blocked trade legislation by voting down a retraining bill for workers displaced by foreign competition.
The Senate was poised12 to advance the worker retraining legislation, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday she would vote for the measure after having led her caucus14 in opposition15 to it earlier this month.
Workers "Tossed Aside"
The sudden boost in momentum16 for free trade sorely disappointed opponents like Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president as a Democrat13.
“It’s a great day for the big-money interests, not a great day for working families,” said Sanders. “This trade agreement will continue the policies that have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs.”
“History shows it makes no sense to give a quick up-or-down vote to bad trade deals like the TPP that will only ship jobs overseas and lower wages in the U.S.,” said Jim Hoffa, head of the Teamsters Union that represents American truckers. “Yet again, workers have been tossed aside by some lawmakers who are more interested in pleasing their corporate18 cronies than doing what’s best for their constituents19.”
By contrast, Republican Senator Cory Gardner said free trade with Pacific Rim9 nations will bring enormous benefits and cast the debate as a test of American leadership in Asia.
“Do we want the United States – or do we want China – writing the rules?” Gardner asked. “It’s clear that while our partners and allies in the region may welcome additional Chinese investment, they want more American leadership, not less.”
The trade battle produced rare, if fleeting20, political alliances in Washington. On this matter, the White House has had strong backing from Republican congressional leaders who, on almost every other issue, work arduously21 to thwart22 President Obama’s agenda. TPA sharply divided Democratic lawmakers who have been the targets of ferocious23 lobbying from advocates on both sides.
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1 pacts | |
条约( pact的名词复数 ); 协定; 公约 | |
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2 legislative | |
n.立法机构,立法权;adj.立法的,有立法权的 | |
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3 meddling | |
v.干涉,干预(他人事务)( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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4 promotion | |
n.提升,晋级;促销,宣传 | |
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5 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
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6 partnership | |
n.合作关系,伙伴关系 | |
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7 amend | |
vt.修改,修订,改进;n.[pl.]赔罪,赔偿 | |
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8 discriminate | |
v.区别,辨别,区分;有区别地对待 | |
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9 rim | |
n.(圆物的)边,轮缘;边界 | |
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10 fretted | |
焦躁的,附有弦马的,腐蚀的 | |
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11 initially | |
adv.最初,开始 | |
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12 poised | |
a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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13 democrat | |
n.民主主义者,民主人士;民主党党员 | |
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14 caucus | |
n.秘密会议;干部会议;v.(参加)干部开会议 | |
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15 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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16 momentum | |
n.动力,冲力,势头;动量 | |
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17 labor | |
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
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18 corporate | |
adj.共同的,全体的;公司的,企业的 | |
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19 constituents | |
n.选民( constituent的名词复数 );成分;构成部分;要素 | |
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20 fleeting | |
adj.短暂的,飞逝的 | |
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21 arduously | |
adv.费力地,严酷地 | |
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22 thwart | |
v.阻挠,妨碍,反对;adj.横(断的) | |
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23 ferocious | |
adj.凶猛的,残暴的,极度的,十分强烈的 | |
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