Pelosi: No Path For Key Trade Provision, TAA

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sounded a note of skepticism at the new strategy to pass President Obama’s trade agenda.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Pelosi said she does not believe the Trade Adjustment Assistance portion of the trade deal will pass.

“I don’t see a path right now for TAA,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi and House Democrats bucked the White House last week, voting en masse against the TAA, which was then coupled with Trade Promotion Authority, as a way to scuttle the trade effort.

After the House failed to advance “fast-track” authority, Republican leadership and the White House settled on separating the TPA from TAA, ramming through TPA on Thursday with TAA to be considered later.

Pelosi is also downplaying any rift between the House Democratic caucus and President Obama on his trade agenda.

It’s a funny thing because think of your own relationships. You have deep personal or professional relationships, you have a disagreement. If you never had a relationship that might be problematic as you go forward but we have a deep relationship of trust with the president. At almost every category you can name he has been excellent, if you want me to I’ll spell out some of the great accomplishments of his presidency and we highly regard his leadership.

According to Pelosi, the matter is one of policy.

This has been a long standing difference in the Democratic Party having nothing to do with the President of the United States and everything to do with our bosses, the constituents we work for. but again we have deep friendships, deep respect and move on to the next subject.

The House-passed TPA will now head to the Senate.