Support for trade promotion authority (TPA) is decreasing among members of Congress, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations said in a Feb. 13 release that accompanied a video denouncing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The 2014 version of the TPA, also known as fast-track, was introduced in both chambers in January as HR-3830 and S-1900. “Yesterday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was the latest prominent elected official to say no to Fast Track, no to H.R. 3830/S. 1900,” said the release. “Thanks to the efforts of tens of thousands of people -- including people like you -- more and more congressional leaders, including Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, are joining the chorus of voices standing up for us -- America’s 99% -- and saying that Fast Track is wrong.”

The Obama Administration’s failure to fix endemic problems in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including significant domestic job loss, skyrocketing income inequality, agricultural instability and health and environment damage, is fueling congressional opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), said Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch in a report released on Feb. 13. “The TPP represents a stunning flip-flop that threatens to replicate the very NAFTA-style damage that Obama criticized on the campaign trail,” said the report. “But the administration and corporate proponents of the TPP will have difficulty getting the controversial deal through Congress. Twenty years of NAFTA’s damage has contributed to a groundswell of TPP opposition among the U.S. public and policymakers.”

The Democratic Party supports free trade, and the caucus’ opposition to Trade Promotion Authority legislation does not indicate opposition to President Barack Obama’s trade agenda, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif,, speaking at the House Democratic caucus retreat on Feb. 12. Pelosi responded to a question over her public rejection earlier in the day of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act, introduced in January by House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., former Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Finance ranking member Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., formally took over the Senate Finance Committee as Chairman on Feb. 12, the committee and a Wyden spokesman said. Wyden plans to address Trade Promotion Authority with the Senate Democratic caucus, The Hill reported (here). The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) said in a release Wyden is a potential partner with industry in pursuing pending trade agreements. “The NFTC congratulates Senator Wyden on his confirmation as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Chairman Wyden has been a leader on trade throughout his Senate career -- particularly in addressing 21st century global trade issues -- and we have no doubt he will guide the Committee in advancing the U.S. trade agenda to promote economic growth and create American jobs,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “This is a critical moment for the United States with the historic Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and Trade in Services Agreement negotiations underway, pending Trade Promotion Authority legislation and the potential for comprehensive tax reform. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Wyden on these important trade and tax issues in his new role as Chairman.”

The Senate on Feb. 11 confirmed (here) Charles Rivkin to be an assistant secretary of State for economic and business affairs. The Senate on Feb. 12 also confirmed (here) Catherine Novelli to be an undersecretary of State for economic growth, energy, and the environment.

Recent trade-related bills introduced in Congress include:

The Customs Plaza Construction Act of 2014, introduced on Feb. 11, would provide funding to construct the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) at the U.S. -- Canada border and other federal customs plazas at U.S. ports of entry, said sponsor Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., in a press release. The legislation would prioritize funding for facilities and buildings at the busiest ports in the country, according to the bill text, providing appropriations from 2015 through 2021. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Canadian officials brokered the NITC agreement in 2012 (here), but construction has yet to begin.

The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act fails to meet sufficient standards on environmental protection and currency manipulation safeguards, and therefore has limited Democratic support in Congress, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaking at a United Steelworkers and the BlueGreen Alliance Feb. 12 rally on Capitol Hill. Pelosi flatly rejected the legislation, the 2014 iteration of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also railing against the fast-track voting mechanisms in the bill.

The House Homeland Security Committee delayed a hearing with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, previously scheduled to be held on Feb. 12. The hearing, titled “The Secretary’s Vision for the Future -- Challenges and Priorities,” is now scheduled for Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m., the committee said.

Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., recently signaled that he opposes the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act in comments to the New York City Central Labor Council (NYC CLC), the organization and a Crowley spokeswoman confirmed. The legislation is the 2014 iteration of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). “I respect the efforts to improve TPA and believe the changes being sought are important, but I still have concerns and will oppose the Camp legislation if it comes before the House for a vote,” said Crowley, who is on the House Ways and Means Committee. NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez applauded the opposition, implying TPA obstruction will prevent the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “Rep. Crowley’s opposition of the TPA demonstrates a real commitment to the working people of our city, our state, and our country,” said Alvarez in a Feb. 10 statement. “The TPP is being negotiated behind closed doors for a reason; it’s bad for workers, our environment, and our economy as a whole.” Should he maintain his opposition, Crowley also represents a “no” vote in a possible Ways and Means committee-wide vote to advance the legislation.