Immigration Concerns Unresolved as House Begins Series of Trade Legislation Votes

A complicated series of votes on trade legislation will begin today, culminating in Friday votes on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation and the so-called Customs bill that contains the unsatisfactory immigration “fix.” The process is designed to placate Democratic and Republican Members who would otherwise vote against TPA, but the strategy is risky for House Republican leaders. Democratic leaders are not satisfied with the process and Republicans have learned the immigration “fix” would not resolve their concerns.

The House will first consider a trade preferences bill that, as requested by Democrats, changes Senate-passed offsets for providing more aid to American workers who are displaced by trade deals. The additional spending would be allocated under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., vowed to clear the bill for the president’s signature immediately after House passage. The House then will vote on rules governing debate on a TAA authorization bill, the TPA legislation and the customs bill.

If the TAA authorization bill is defeated due to ongoing Democratic and Republican concerns, the TPA bill will not come up for a vote because the few Democrats who support the measure will withdraw their support without the workers aid.

Meanwhile a number of Republicans are unsatisfied with the immigration “fix” agreed to by leading TPA advocate Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc. They say it lacks teeth, is unenforceable and will never get signed into law. Republicans also continue to push for the release of the trade deal-in-waiting – the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Breitbart reports Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., and five other Republicans wrote Rep. Ryan yesterday seeking more pressure on the White House to release full TPP text before the House votes on the underlying fast-track procedure. The letter said “(W)e believe it is essential before any vote on TPA that the White House provide for full and complete public viewing of the TPP and summary documents explaining how the ‘living agreement’ provision of the TPP will operate as well as all powers and authorities delegated to the ‘Trans Pacific Partnership Commission’ that will be created by the TPP.” Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., called that commission a means for “global governance.”

The letter – also signed by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., Walter Jones, R-N.C., Ted Yoho, R-Fla., and Gary Palmer, R-Ala. – continued:

“Certainly, these are not the only issues related to ceding fast-track authority to the President, and this is in no way an exhaustive list of concerns about fast-track, the TPP, or any other agreements (such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or the Trade in Services Agreement) that would be expedited under fast-track’s guarantee of no amendments, severely constrained debate, and the lowest possible vote thresholds (including the elimination of treaty powers). However, at a minimum, given the threats to Congressional power that have accrued in recent years and the loss of U.S. sovereignty, the House should in no way consider a further reduction in Congressional power and U.S. sovereignty until these materials have been made public and these questions have been answered in full.”

Read more in The Hill and Breitbart News.