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Fast Track Faces Uphill Battle

© Bryan Johnson

The U.S. Congress is determined to move forward in bringing the controversial "fast track" trade legislation to the floor for a vote before the end of the year. This is despite the fact that Congress has failed to fulfill its obligation of passing many of the dozens of required annual appropriations bill in order to keep government functions funded. With few legislative days remaining on the Congressional calendar, some Congressional watchers question the wisdom of pushing the fast track issue this year.[ Editor's Note: For another recent article on this topic, see: Congress Considers New Trade Legislation.

Free trade proponents argue that fast track is needed in order to held liberalize global trade and investment. President Clinton's request for fast track negotiation went before Congress last year. But the measure failed because of lack of support from many Democratic Congressional members.

In addition, many traditional Democratic supporters spoke out against fast track. Specifically, the AFL-CIO lobbied heavily for the failure of fast track. But other Democratic groups, mainly the Democratic Leadership Council generally support the measure.

In any event, wavering Democratic support for fast track is not the only problem facing the legislation this year. According to a recent internal Republican Leadership head count (called a whip count) on how members likely are to vote on the fast track legislation when it come to the House floor, there are many Republicans who are changing their positions from support to opposition.

For example, last year, there were about 150 Republicans and some 40 Democrats that favored the bill. Since this is not enough to pass the legislation, it was withdrawn. This year, however, those numbers have shrunk to less than 140 and about 35 (even less support).

Particularly troubling for fast track supporters is the lack of support for the legislation among members of the House Agricultural Committee. Supported had planned on targeting this committee in hopes of winning enough votes on the premise that fast track will help farmers hurt by the Asian Financial crisis. yet, these efforts have thus far proven fruitless.

All of this has many possible proponents of fast track talking about ways to change the legislation to increase support. Some of these changes include: language to incorporate labor and environmental standards into any trade agreement, Administration consultation requirements with Congress, and broader language to allow the negotiation of many other "measures" not currently considered during trade negotiations.

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