Senate rejects more aid for workers who lose jobs to trade

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected a liberal-led move Monday to increase aid for workers who lose their jobs to imports, pushing for passage by week's end of major trade legislation sought by President Barack Obama.

The 45-41 vote was well short of the 60 needed, and reflected the unusual political forces at work on a bill to strengthen Obama's hand in negotiating global trade deals.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the trade legislation and two other bills — one to renew the Patriot Act, the other to keep federal highway funds flowing — would receive final votes by week's end or senators would have to delay a scheduled Memorial Day recess.

"I know we became used to hearing these types of statements in the past, but senators should know I'm quite serious," he said. He referred to frequent threats from Nevada's Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, the former majority leader, who frequently threatened to cancel vacations if bills weren't passed, but rarely if ever followed through.

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