Democrats Still Mulling Support for TPA, Says Chamber of Commerce Official
Many Democrats on Capitol Hill are reserving judgment on Trade Promotion Authority, and are still potential supporters of the legislation once it surfaces in the coming days and weeks, John Murphy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce senior vice president for International Policy, told reporters on Jan. 28. Murphy declined to comment on how the whip count is shaping up for TPA support, but he said the trade group is optimistic the bill will pass with bipartisan support.
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A group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., are continuing to wage a campaign to oppose the legislation (see 1501090022). Senate Democrats are taking a more measured tone, but many in the chamber are also challenging the Obama administration to advocate for strong currency, consultation and transparency rules in the legislation (see 1501270028). House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., has relayed his support for the bill to the chamber, said Murphy.
Murphy also called the Generalized System of Preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act “low-hanging fruit” for inclusion in a TPA trade package. In terms of the contents of an initial TPA package, “there are a lot of unanswered questions in this area, but at the same time there have been positive expressions of willingness to move GSP renewal, AGOA renewal [and] a Customs Reauthorization bill,” said Murphy. Many lawmakers and lobbyists have also yet Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, hasn’t yet decided on a legislative approach (see 1501270001).