House Rejects Trade Assistance Bill In Blow To Obama

The House of Representatives rejected a bill on Friday to help workers hurt by the impact of international trade. House Republican leaders have said they would not bring up a binding vote on "fast track" authority if this bill was rejected. President Barack Obama traveled to Capitol Hill Friday morning to lobby for the assistance bill and fast track. Obama has pushed for fast track so he can submit the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to Congress for an up-or-down vote. The vote on trade adjustment assistance got only 126 "yes" votes, with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats rejecting it.