Balancing act for House Democratic Leader Pelosi on trade

In this May 13, 2015, photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks to the Associated Press in her office on Capitol Hill in Washington. As House Speaker, Pelosi delivered the signature achievement of President Barack Obama’s first term: his health care bill. Now Obama’s top second-term goal, a major trade deal, hangs in the balance on Capitol Hill and Pelosi is again on the spot. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In this May 13, 2015, photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks to the Associated Press in her office on Capitol Hill in Washington. As House Speaker, Pelosi delivered the signature achievement of President Barack Obama’s first term: his health care bill. Now Obama’s top second-term goal, a major trade deal, hangs in the balance on Capitol Hill and Pelosi is again on the spot. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

By Associated Press May 20, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi faces a balancing act over trade legislation before Congress.

It’s a top priority for President Barack Obama. But it’s overwhelmingly opposed by House Democrats. That leaves Pelosi caught in the middle.

Obama relied on Pelosi to help him pass the signature legislative achievement of his first term – his health care bill. She was speaker at the time.

A major trade deal would amount to the top legislative achievement of Obama’s second term, but this time he and Pelosi are at odds. And it’s not clear if she will end up supporting him in the end.