Senate

Hatch: No deal yet on trade amendments

by Jordain Carney - 05/22/15 10:13 AM ET

Senators are still struggling to reach an agreement to allow for more amendments to fast-track trade legislation, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Friday morning during comments on the floor.

“So far, no deal has been reached,” the Utah Republican said.

{mosads}Hatch and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have been in talks this week to try to get a unanimous consent deal that would allow for votes on roughly a dozen amendments. They’ve made two offers so far on the Senate floor for an amendment deal but have been blocked by Democrats.

Wyden said he is “optimistic” they will be able to reach an agreement.

The Senate is quickly approaching a weeklong Memorial Day recess, but they still need to wrap up work on trade promotion authority (TPA, or fast-track; expiring provisions of the Patriot Act; and legislation funding the Highway Trust Fund.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) tried to sway senators Friday morning saying that, “with bipartisan cooperation, we can get it done as soon as this afternoon.”

But with a deal yet to be reached, the Kentucky Republican warned that senators will stay in session to finish work on the three bills “however long it takes.”

Unless a deal is reached, the Senate is expected to take votes Friday on a handful of pending amendments, including a controversial currency manipulation provision.

Liberal Democrats, who are opposed to TPA, have pledged to drag out the trade fight.

“Sadly, there were some who just did not want to cooperate,” Hatch said, referring to the slow process on the trade legislation, adding, “I’m not going to point fingers.”

Tags Mitch McConnell Orrin Hatch Ron Wyden