May 21, 2015

Trade Promotion Authority Another Step Closer to Completion

Today, the Senate moved another step closer to passing Trade Promotion Authority Legislation as Senators voted 62-38 this morning to invoke cloture. This vote limits remaining debate on the legislation and is an important hurdle cleared in leading to a vote on final passage by Friday evening.

In today’s vote, Western Growers home state Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John McCain (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) all voted affirmatively on this important procedural measure.

The Senate will continue debate on amendments to TPA legislation, several of which are considered to be “poison pills.” Western Growers has worked with other business and agricultural groups to oppose these amendments. See the coalition’s response here.  Agriculture’s position was clearly articulated in a column in Agri-Pulse yesterday.

Western Growers continues to urge members to send individual letters to Senators encouraging support for TPA.