Liberal senators lash out at Obama on GOP trade deal
Politico – Two liberal senators facing reelection next year lashed out at President Barack Obama on Wednesday for negotiating a deal with Republicans that would tie three long-stalled free trade agreements with renewal of an aid program for workers hurt by foreign trade.
Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Bob Casey (D-Penn.) stepped up their calls for Congress to pass a stand-alone five-year extension of the aid program, known as the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, before it takes up trade deals with Korea, Panama and Colombia.
“This is a continuation of [George W.] Bush policies — slightly changed,” Brown told reporters of the White House negotiations. “I think the president is wrong on this.”
