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Senate OKs Obama's fast-track trade bill, House battle expected

By Amy R. Connolly
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2015. Forty-seven Republican senators signed a letter to Iranian leaders informing them that any nuclear deal reached with President Obama would be tossed out when a new president takes office. Friday, Hatch backed Obama's 'fast-track' trade agreement, calling it "likely the most important bill we will pass this year." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2015. Forty-seven Republican senators signed a letter to Iranian leaders informing them that any nuclear deal reached with President Obama would be tossed out when a new president takes office. Friday, Hatch backed Obama's 'fast-track' trade agreement, calling it "likely the most important bill we will pass this year." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- The Senate cleared the fast-track trade bill that gives President Barack Obama expanded trade negotiating power, paving the way for what will likely be a contentious debate in the House.

The Senate voted 62 to 37 Friday night to give Obama and the future president trade promotion authority, ensuring lawmakers could not amend or filibuster any trade agreement in the next three to six years. It would allow Obama to submit trade agreements for an up-or-down vote without amendments. Lawmakers, however, will be able to reject them. In the immediate future, the fast-track agreement will allow Obama to move forward in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a wide-ranging trade deal with 11 Pacific Rim nations.

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"This is an important bill, likely the most important bill we will pass this year. It's important to President Obama," said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and primary author of the bill.

Following the vote, Obama said, "I want to thank Senators of both parties for sticking up for American workers by supporting smart trade and strong enforcement, and I encourage the House of Representatives to follow suit."

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The Senate victory brings Obama to the biggest hurdle yet for his trade bill. House Democrats and some conservative Republicans have begun building roadblocks. Many oppose the trade bill because they fear it will take more jobs from Americans.

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