TPA Vote Likely In Early December

ByJohn S. McClenahen The U.S. House of Representatives' on-again, off-again vote on White House trade promotion authority (TPA) is apparently on again. The vote is likely to come following Congress' Thanksgiving recess, possibly on Thursday, Dec. 6. The National Assn. of Manufacturers, Washington, is among the business groups urging its members to press legislators during the Thanksgiving recess to approve TPA. Formerly known as fast-track authority, TPA would allow Congress to approve or reject -- but not to amend -- trade pacts the U.S. negotiates with other nations. Several countries have indicated they won't begin serious bargaining with the U.S. in the just-approved new round of international trade talks until President Bush has TPA.