The White House on Friday tried to spin the resounding defeat of President Obama’s trade agenda in the House as a “good sign” and pledged not to give up the fight.
The House voted down the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill 302 to 126 on Friday afternoon, effectively killing Mr. Obama’s broader push for authority to unilaterally negotiate trade deals.
Still, the House went on to pass two other pieces of the trade package, including Trade Promotion Authority, with bipartisan support.
Twenty-eight Democrats supported the TPA bill, and the administration claimed a small victory on that front.
“Getting the support of 28 House Democrats is a good sign,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.
He added that the president will continue pressing lawmakers to support his trade agenda.
SEE ALSO: Democrats kill Obama’s trade push
“The president is determined … to build a bipartisan majority to make sure that we’re living up to our commitments as Democrats to fight for middle class families. That’s the reason the president is in this office,” Mr. Earnest said.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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