Business

GOP Lawmakers Embrace Obama Trade Push More Than Democrats

Published

11 years ago

January 28, 2015

Oakland Post

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (AP Photo)

CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — It doesn’t happen often, but Republican lawmakers on Tuesday gave more support to President Barack Obama than did Democrats on a key issue: trade.

Trade has long created strange politics, but the issue has languished on congressional back burners recently. Now it’s heating up, as the administration tries to craft a new trade agreement with Japan and 10 other Pacific-rim countries.

First, however, Obama must win something every president since Franklin Roosevelt has enjoyed: enhanced negotiating powers that make it harder for critics on the left and right to torpedo proposed trade deals. It’s called trade promotion authority, or TPA, or fast-track. It lets Congress ratify or reject — but not amend — proposed trade pacts.

Lawmakers in both parties say major trade deals can’t be negotiated and enacted without such negotiating powers.

Republicans generally support open trade more than Democrats do, regardless who’s president. That’s why Obama’s top trade official — U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman — got warmer receptions Tuesday from Republicans as he testified before key Senate and House committees.

Echoing Obama’s remarks in the State of the Union address, Froman said enhanced trade promotion is essential, noting that 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States.

Several Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, including Rob Portman of Ohio, strongly agreed. Portman, who held Froman’s job under President George W. Bush, said foreign markets are rapidly growing, and “our workers are getting left out.”

But many Democrats, liberals, environmentalists and labor unions have grown increasingly hostile to trade deals. They say trade deals let foreign countries take U.S. jobs while abusing the environment, patent rights and, sometimes, local workers.

Froman said his negotiating team is pushing India and other countries to include greater safeguards for workers and the environment as they seek new trade agreements.

Several anti-trade protesters interrupted Froman’s opening remarks Tuesday, and were ushered out by police. Some mentioned the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which many labor groups disdain.

Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York echoed their concerns. He said he worries that new trade deals will not help middle class incomes.

Schumer also insisted the United States do more to prevent China from keeping its currency’s value artificially low, which enhances Chinese exports and dampens imports.

China is not part of the pending Pacific-rim deal. But it figured heavily in Tuesday’s debates.

Schumer said he won’t support the Pacific-rim deal “if we do not at the same time enact new statutory law that includes objective criteria to define and enforce against currency manipulation” in China and elsewhere.

Froman said his team has made progress on the China currency issue, but needs to do more. He said he’s pushing China on other issues too, “including protection and enforcement of trade secrets and other intellectual property rights.”

Schumer and other Democrats demanded that Froman address currency manipulation in the Pacific-rim negotiations — even if China is absent — because Japan and other countries also engage in it.

House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, said TPA and the Pacific-rim deal are badly needed. China and other fast-growing countries are making trade deals that leave American farmers, manufacturers and others on the sidelines, he said.

Ryan said the GOP-controlled Congress will insist on language guaranteeing transparency and other concessions. “We tell the administration what targets to hit,” Ryan said.

Anti-trade activists criticized Froman’s agenda in a conference call Tuesday.

“We’re obviously going to push for no-fast track,” said Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers. “But if we’re going to have to have fast track, it has to be one that protects jobs.”

Several lawmakers predict the Senate will support TPA, with overwhelming support from Republicans, plus a fair number of Democrats.

Prospects in the House are less certain. A big majority of House Democrats oppose new trade deals, and some Republicans appear increasingly dubious.

—

Associated Press writer Tom Raum contributed to this report.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

4 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com