Bush Allies In Congress Call For the Renewal of International Trade Authority

Republican legislators in the House of Representatives will aim to convince their colleagues to approve the renewal of the Bush administration's fast track authority in order to negotiate international trade deals. Under this power, the president can barter trade deals without the need for congressional amendments. In the absence of such authority, international trade agreements are at the mercy of lawmakers.

Democratic leaders in the Congress have blamed international trade deals for the loss of job opportunities in the United States. With the failure of the Doha Round last week, the chances of another trade deal being forged will be improbable. However, Rep. Jim McCrery of Louisiana, who supports the renewal of the fast track authority, believes that trading will benefit American businesses and will help reduce trade deficit.

Since Congress granted fast track authority in 2002, the United States has entered into several international trade deals with Australia, Singapore, Chile, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Bahrain, Oman as well as several Central American states. The most recent renewal of international trade authority took eight years before it was granted. Rep. McCrery is hoping that his colleagues will not allow a repeat of the same situation.