House Republicans postponed their vote to extend two expiring trade provisions. They had planned a vote on the Andean Trade Preferences Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. At least part of the reason for the delay is a belief the Obama Administration has not shown enough commitment to advancing the U.S. trade agenda. The vote has not been rescheduled.
The Senate was anticipating a House vote and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says that the Senate would try to approve the extension bills for the Andean Trade Preference Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program Thursday by unanimous consent. Of course that statement was made because Reid expected the House would approve the legislation and send the bill to extend these programs to the Senate. He was going to have Senators convene and hold no roll call votes but clear the bill by voice vote. Instead the Senate has nothing to do Thursday evening.
Congress doesn't have much time to approve the extensions for the two trade programs before they expire in less than one week. Some of the bill's supporters say failure to act will lead to lost jobs.
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