Senate Makes TPA Bill Veto Bait

May 15, 2002

The Senate Tuesday approved an amendment to the trade promotion authority bill which is vigorously opposed by the Bush administration. The measure was also opposed by some agricultural organizations. The amendment allows Congress to remove from trade agreements provisions that conceivably could weaken U.S. laws that protect U.S. workers and industries from unfair foreign competition. The amendment undermines U.S. negotiating power by effectively taking U.S. anti-dumping laws and other import protections of the negotiating table.

Sens. Mark Dayton (D-MN) and Larry Craig (R-ID) introduced the amendment. A large coalition representing broad agricultural interests lobbied hard against the amendment. In a letter to all Senators the group stated, "the amendment will undercut the negotiating objectives set by the Congress to get the best agreements possible for U.S. farmers, companies workers and consumers."

A motion to table the Dayton-Craig amendment failed 61 to 38, and then Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) offered a second-degree amendment that would have eliminated the language. Grassley later withdrew his amendment, and the Dayton-Craig amendment subsequently passed by a voice vote. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said the administration "has made its position clear: this amendment is protectionism under a procedural cover. It would cripple America's ability to open markets around the world and therefore we will work to ensure it is not in the final bill."

A veto would be a remarkable end to President Bush's 15-month effort to get trade promotion authority, which would let the White House negotiate new trade agreements that Congress could approve or reject, but not amend. The threat shows how seriously the White House views the possibility the amendment could be approved.

The bill still must go to a conference with the House where it could be removed before final passage.