TPP Vote in the Senate: Mitch McConnell will let Dems play Lando Calrissian

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) moved Thursday evening to secure passage of President Barack Obama's trade agenda, employing a strategy to keep supportive Democrats on board that amounts to "trust me."

McConnell's moves came after the House narrowly voted to give Obama the power he needs to fast-track mega-trade deals through Congress -- a victory House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) achieved without also proceeding on Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), the worker relief program that most Democrats say they need before they'll support trade deals.

It means that when Democrats decide whether to give Obama sweeping powers to finish several trade deals that dwarf the infamous NAFTA, they'll have no guarantee that trade assistance (TAA) will pass and be there to help workers who are expected to lose jobs because of the trade pacts. There's even less guarantee that Boehner will be able to advance the aid measure.

“In the judgement of members of both parties in the House and the Senate, our best way forward now is to consider TPA and TAA separately," he said, making his appeal for trust.

“Here’s what it’s going to take: One, working together toward the shared goal of a win for the American people. Two, trusting each other to get there," McConnell said. “I think we can."

"TAA will come second after TPA, but the votes will be there to pass it -- reluctantly, not happily, but they will be there," he insisted.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/18/senate-fast-track_n_7617596.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

The US House of Representatives will NEVER PASS Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) after already getting a win in passing TPA. Their work to get the TPP Fast Tracked IS DONE. Mission Accomplished.

Here's the test: Will you hear one direct quote from US House Speaker John Boehner *before* the TPA (Fast Track for the Trans Pacific Partnership TPP) vote in the Senate about passing the TAA out of the House? (If you do, his fingers will be crossed and he'll be stifling a laugh).

McConnell (and President Obama) is running the ultimate test of the gullibility of the American people to believe that TAA assistance for working losing jobs due to trade will ever be passed.

And lots of these Democrats in the Senate, except some stalwart opposition, will definitely take McConnell at his word because they want to pass TPP Fast Track and he gives them an out.

So Fast Track (TPA) and the thus TPP agreement will ultimately pass. And TPP-friendly Democrats in the Senate will get to play the role of Lando Calrissian...again. :