Progressives and labor unions have lined up against President Barack Obama on fast track trade authority, and most of eastern New England’s members of Congress and Senate are lining up with the party base, not the party’s leader.
But, several remain undecided, and pressure is building on them to choose a side.
Renewal of Presidential fast track authority is heading to votes soon, paving the way for approval of a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, that is nearing completion.
Observers believe that it will probably have enough votes to pass the Senate, but may be very close in the House.
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- been most vocal in pot-stirring rhetoric since declaring her opposition earlier this year. But she was hardly the first one there. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey has publicly opposed fast track renewal for some time, and many area House members signed onto a letter in opposition last year.
That letter was signed by Bill Keating, Joe Kennedy, Jim McGovern, and Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts. That does not guarantee a no vote from them – Kennedy’s office, for example, says only that he has “serious concerns” – but is a strong indicator.
Stephen Lynch and Richard Neal have publicly declared their opposition. Michael Capuano and Katherine Clark both confirmed to me, through their spokespeople, that they oppose fast-track renewal. (Capuano, in a statement, said he is withholding judgment on the Trans-Pacific Partnership itself, although he has “serious reservations.”)
That leaves congressional newcomer Seth Moulton; unlike his predecessor John Tierney, who had signed the opposition letter, Moulton has not taken a position. “It’s not a decision he’s taking lightly or one that he’s going to rush,” Moulton spokesperson Carrie Rankin told me in an email.
That has him targeted by an ad campaign from the “Coalition to Stop Fast Track.”
The other House Democrats from Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are believed to be solid no votes on fast track.
Only one New Englander has declared support for the bill, according to The Hill: New Hampshire Republican Frank Guinta.
Guinta signed onto a public letter with other freshman Republicans in support of the measure. But New England’s other Republican, Bruce Poliquin of Maine, did not sign it. He has not taken a position, but expressed “concerns” about the authority in a constituent-reply letter posted by the maine Fair Trade Campaign. [http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/maine/fact-sheets/]
Interestingly, more of the area Senators are undecided, even though the end vote is considered more determined.
Washington-based Politico recently listed Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire as one of four key undecided Democrats on fast track. Her Republican colleague, Kelly Ayotte, has also kept quiet. Although most Republicans favor fast track, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Ayotte mentor Lindsey Graham has a history of opposing it.
Republican Susan Collins of Maine is also undecided, as is the state’s Independent, Angus King. King has expressed considerable skepticism of fast-track authority.
In Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse is an opponent, while Jack Reed has taken no public position, although he has opposed fast-track authorization in the past.
Naming Games
Congress might not be getting substantive bills done, but it looks like the Rhode Island delegation is on its way to a small symbolic victory, as Congress seems poised to renamed a Providence post office for activist Sister Ann Keefe.
Post office namings – a congressional right, since they are federal buildings – are a regular rite of Washington. Rhode Island Congressman David Ciccillini proposed the change for the Elmwood Street office after Keefe died in January. It passed the House in April.
Senator Reed is ushering the bill through the Senate, and obtained key committee approval on Thursday. “Sister Ann was courageous,” Reed said in a statement. “This post office, located in the heart of the neighborhood she loved and served, will be a reminder of her enduring legacy of promoting peace, opportunity, and social justice for all.”
Warming Up To Moulton
There’s no use pretending that there’s no bitterness remaining among Massachusetts Democrats toward the usurper who beat Tierney in the 2014 primary. But Moulton’s first-quarter fundraising report suggests at least a little easing of tensions.
Moulton raised $404,000 for the three months, and several big Democratic funders were among the big-money donors.
More significantly, Capuano gave $4,000 from his committee to Moulton, and Neal gave $1,000 from his.
Maine congresswoman Chellie Pingree also contributed.
So did a couple of big Massachusetts political action committees: those of Liberty Mutual and Fidelity.
The records also show a $1,000 contribution on March 31 from someone in Massachusetts even more controversial than Moulton: John Fish, the business leader who has headed up Boston’s push to host the Olympic Games.
