Dem senators: Slow down on fast-track bill

Four Senate Democrats expressed concern Thursday evening that the process for giving the White House fast-track authority for trade deals is moving ahead too quickly.

Sens. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowDemocratic senator votes against advancing Amy Coney Barrett nomination while wearing RBG mask Healthcare, retirement security seen as top issues for older voters, lawmakers say Dems to focus on issues, not character, at Barrett hearings MORE (D-Mich.), Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezTrump appointee sparks bipartisan furor for politicizing media agency Senate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump MORE (D-N.J.), Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownBrown says Biden's first moves as president should be COVID relief, voting rights Senators battle over Supreme Court nominee in rare Saturday session Sunday shows preview: Trump, Biden gear up for final sprint to Election Day MORE (D-Ohio) and Bob CaseyRobert (Bob) Patrick CaseySenate Democrats hold talkathon to protest Barrett's Supreme Court nomination Two Loeffler staffers test positive for COVID-19 Healthcare, retirement security seen as top issues for older voters, lawmakers say MORE Jr. (D-Pa.) — all members of the Finance Committee — said they are worried that there isn’t enough time to evaluate trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation before an expected vote by the panel next week.

“With millions of American manufacturing jobs on the line, we need a thorough legislative hearing schedule with both public and private sector witnesses that can testify on all four bills in the package,” the senators wrote in a statement.

“We urge the chairman and ranking member to revisit the committee’s schedule to ensure that Congress has time to conduct critical oversight.”

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin HatchOrrin Grant HatchMellman: What happened after Ginsburg? Bottom line Bottom line MORE (R-Utah), along with ranking member Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenPlaintiff and defendant from Obergefell v. Hodges unite to oppose Barrett's confirmation Senate Democrats call for ramped up Capitol coronavirus testing House Democrats slam FCC chairman over 'blatant attempt to help' Trump MORE (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanMcCarthy faces pushback from anxious Republicans over interview comments Pelosi and Trump go a full year without speaking Jordan vows to back McCarthy as leader even if House loses more GOP seats MORE (R-Wis.), unveiled an updated TPA bill on Thursday.

Hatch said he hopes to vote on the bill in his committee next Thursday. But Senate aides said that timeframe isn’t certain.

During a hearing earlier Thursday, the four Democratic senators all raised concerns about the tight schedule for moving a fast-track bill to the floor.
 
“While we appreciate the efforts made to improve the bill, there's more that needs to be done,” they said in their statement.

“We are committed to improving this bill by offering amendments through the committee and floor process that will ensure trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership do not continue the trend of offshoring American jobs and driving down wages.”