House Democrats Hand Obama Embarrassing Defeat on Trade Deal

In a 126-302 vote, Democrats helped reject a displaced workers’ aid program that they usually support, because the defeat meant the House couldn’t send the fast-track trade bill to Obama.

President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi leave the Gabriel Zimmerman room after a meeting with members of the House Democratic caucus to discuss his trade agenda on Capitol Hill June 12, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Photo by Olivier Douliery/SIPA
Photographer: Pool

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By Carter Dougherty and Erik Wasson

June 12, 2015 at 5:49 PM UTC

Updated on

June 12, 2015 at 6:58 PM UTC

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Democrats handed President Barack Obama an embarrassing defeat on his trade agenda, blocking final passage of fast-track negotiating authority just hours after he made a rare visit to Capitol Hill to seek their support.

In a 126-302 vote Friday, Democrats helped reject a displaced workers’ aid program they usually support that was needed to proceed to a final vote on fast-track authority. The House then quickly voted for the fast-track measure, 219-211, though it won’t go to Obama’s desk unless the worker aid bill also passes.