The House of Representatives approved legislation giving the president fast track powers on trade agreements by a single vote yesterday. The legislation---which, if approved by the Senate, will force Congress to vote either yes or no after limited debate, on trade agreements reached by the executive branch---has been strongly opposed by unions and environmental groups as posing a risk to U.S. labor and environmental regulations. Passage of the bill was secured only after Republicans passed a bill extending unemployment insurance, and promised $20 billion in economic stimulus legislation.
See "Trade Bill Passes House by One Vote", JULIET EILPERIN, The Washington Post, December 6, 2001