The U.S. Senate begins debate this week on a bill that would---for the first time in 8 years---give the president the power to negotiate trade agreements with other countries that will be subject only to approval or rejection as a whole by the Senate. Labor and environmental groups have lobbied intensely to preserve the Senate?s ability to reject, accept or modify individual lines of foreign trade treaties as a vital defense against treaties that do not provide for adequate protection of the environment and labor rights. Much of the Bush Administration?s foreign trade policy to date has been tempered by a desire to appease such groups and their political allies, in an attempt to secure passage of the trade agreement fast track bill.
See "The horse-trading over, Bush waits on word from the Hill", EDWARD ALDEN, April 22, 2002