Senate puts trade bill back on track

In a burst of bipartisanship, the Republican-controlled Senate put President Obama’s trade agenda back on course Thursday, clearing the way for likely approval of legislation allowing the administration to negotiate global deals that Congress could support or reject but not change.

The 65-33 vote to resurrect the measure capped two days of political intrigue in which Democrats on both sides of the legislation initially joined forces to block action, then reached agreement with Republicans for votes on other enforcement measures to protect workers who lose jobs as a result of exports.

The White House swiftly hailed the vote, saying the bill’s passage, possibly within days, would lead to “highstandard trade agreements that are good for the U.S. economy, businesses, farmers, innovators and workers.”

Battles lie ahead, though.

Hours earlier, the White House criticized a provision in a companion measure that cleared the Senate on a 78-20 vote. It would require the imposition of tariffs on products from countries that artificially set the level of their currency, a practice that makes it harder for U.S. firms to compete and results in the loss of jobs.

The provision would undermine existing efforts to respond to China and other alleged violators and “lead to other countries pursuing retaliatory measures that could hurt our exporters,” the White House said.

Even so, Sen. Charles E. Schumer ( D-N.Y.), a prominent sponsor of the proposal, predicted it might eventually prove essential in persuading enough skeptical House Democrats to swing behind the trade bill itself.