Senate poised to hand Obama big victory on negotiating trade

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks with reporters before attending a policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. The Senate pushed bipartisan trade legislation to the brink of final approval Tuesday in a combined effort by President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders to rescue a measure that appeared all but dead less than two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks with reporters before attending a policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. The Senate pushed bipartisan trade legislation to the brink of final approval Tuesday in a combined effort by President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders to rescue a measure that appeared all but dead less than two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

By Associated Press June 24, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate is preparing to hand President Barack Obama a major victory with final passage of “fast track” authority to negotiate trade deals.

Doing so would cap a remarkable turnabout for an initiative that House Democrats nearly killed a few days ago.

Unions and most congressional Democrats say free-trade deals cost U.S. jobs and reward countries that pollute and mistreat workers. Obama and most Republican leaders say U.S. products must reach broader markets.

The Senate plans to vote on three other trade-related bills. One would extend a job retraining program for workers displaced by international trade. That program requires House approval, too.

Senate passage Wednesday of fast-track authority would boost Obama’s hopes for a 12-nation Pacific-rim trade agreement. Members include Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and Canada.