AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is thanking House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for breaking with President Obama and leveling a blow to a key aspect of his trade agenda.
“Nancy Pelosi has always fought for working families and today her leadership on the trade package vote was instrumental in the House voting against another bad trade deal,” the labor union head said Friday following the vote.
Earlier in the day, Pelosi took to the House floor to reveal that she would be opposing a the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill to “slow down the fast-track,” or Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
“The facts are these: If TAA fails, the fast-track bill is stopped,” she said.
“For these and other reasons I will be voting today to slow down the fast-track to get a better deal for the American people. Bigger paychecks, better infrastructure, help the American people fulfill the American Dream,” Pelosi said.
After Pelosi’s floor speech, Democrats voted en mass against TAA, a measure considered essential to get TPA on the president’s desk.
“She stood up against corporate interests and as always put first the people who are too often left out of trade agreement discussions,” Trumka added. “I applaud Rep. Pelosi’s bravery and leadership on this and look forward to working with her on good trade bills.”
The 126-302 vote against TAA, represented a striking defeat for Obama who had visited the Democratic caucus that morning to plea for support.
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