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Associated Press AP sources: Obama delays final work on trade pacts
By JULIE PACE, Associated Press – 9 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is putting off sending final legislation on three key free trade agreements to Capitol Hill until September because of the protracted talks over raising the nation's debt limit, two people familiar with the discussions said Wednesday.
Obama aides were ready to send the trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to lawmakers this week, the two said. But congressional leaders from both parties asked the administration to delay the agreements until after Congress returns from its August recess. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the delay has not been formally announced.
Obama has been a vocal supporter of the trade deals, touting them as job creators that could give the economy a much-needed jolt. The business community and most lawmakers, particularly Republicans, have also rallied around the agreements.
The White House said Wednesday it was still committed to finalizing the free trade agreements, known as FTAs, as well as a retraining assistance package for American workers displaced by trade. That program is known as Trade Adjustment Assistance, or TAA.
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