The Atlantic

<i>The Atlantic Daily</i>: Obama's Trade Bill Blows Up

Democrats shoot down one of the president’s legislative efforts, Alanis <span>Morissette’s <em>cri de coeur</em> turns 20, and more...</span>
Source: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

What's Happening: The President's Trade Bill Implodes

It was a bad day on the Hill for Obama today. Even though his controversial trade package seemed likely to pass, it failed after fellow Democrats left him at the House altar.

What’s this all about? The Trade Adjustment Assistance bill. It would have given the president power to finalize trade agreements with a dozen Pacific Rim countries, and later the European Union, and send them to a vote in Congress without amendments. As the bill’s passage grew uncertain, President Obama went to Capitol Hill on Friday to make a final impassioned pitch.

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