Congress expands negotiating power in trade deals for Bush

WASHINGTON -- Congress on Thursday returned to the president the power to negotiate trade agreements, passing legislation that also helps workers hurt by the economic fallout from global commerce.

"We can show the world that America will lead the way in building a new consensus on international trade," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont.

The Senate voted 64-34 to restore trade powers that expired in 1994 but were not renewed. Minutes earlier, senators rejected a final effort to kill it by opponents, who said the bill's cost would exceed budget caps.

The bill, passed last Saturday by the House 215-212 before its summer recess, now goes to the president for his signature.

Bush, in a conference call with Baucus and Senate leaders after the vote, congratulated them for "achieving a historic moment." He added in a statement that "with this important tool, we will promote prosperity in the United States, progress in our hemisphere and freedom throughout the world."

"We've now given you the authority," Baucus told the president, "so we're expecting you to negotiate these strong trade agreements."

Bush pressure

Bush pressed Congress repeatedly to pass the measure before leaving for the break, saying its promise of fostering economic growth and jobs would be an important means of reviving the business community's flagging confidence.

Trade promotion authority, also known as fast track, is in itself only a procedural tool. It allows the president to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or reject but cannot change.