Hatch Calls for White House Pressure on TPA
Presidential pressure on Congressional Democrats to support Trade Promotion Authority is critical to moving that legislation in the near future, said Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 20 (here). Hatch spoke hours before President Barack Obama delivered his 2015 State of the Union. The speech focused predominantly on tax reform, another central policy area in the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, and also touched on healthcare and pension overhaul.
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But trade is a “high priority” on the committee’s agenda, said Hatch. Some lawmakers and onlookers think a TPA bill will surface within the next days and weeks (see 1501070057). “My plan, therefore, is to move carefully but quickly to introduce and mark up a TPA bill,” said Hatch. “I’m currently working with Ranking Member Wyden and Chairman Ryan to see if there are improvements that might be made to TPA so that we can introduce a bipartisan, bicameral bill in this Congress that we can move in short order.”
Hatch took over the committee this Congress from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., after the Republican mid-term victory. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is the House Ways and Means chairman. Hatch also called on lawmakers to help pass other trade legislation, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Generalized System of Preferences and Customs Reauthorization. TPA is still viewed by trade supporters as the best option to move a trade omnibus bill, although one industry group recently called on lawmakers to prime TPA through a smaller trade package (see 1501080021).