By Aliza Kempner

President Barack Obama’s mission to place the U.S. stamp of approval on two of the largest free trade deals in our country’s history is hitting some turbulence. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, has questioned the White House’s approach to gaining concessions from other countries to finalize the Pacific Rim and European Union pacts without amendments and by skirting debate. Reid and other Democrats fear that the deals could cause serious injury to American labor and environmental protections and also harm the recovering U.S. job market. 

Politico examines the political undercurrent that leaves the agreement in a precarious position, with trade experts warning that other countries might dodge political risks in agreeing to a deal without the United States paving the way.

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February 05, 2014

By Abraham Shanedling

An effort to impose additional sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program has likely stalled in Congress amid pressure from President Obama, who threatened to veto the measure, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who refused to put the bill to a vote.

The bipartisan bill, which has 58 cosponsors, including 15 Democrats, would implement sanctions on Iran unless it agrees to halt all of its uranium enrichment. However, the White House has been openly against the move, warning that it could thwart the current deal in place with Iran and the P5+1.

Instead members of the House and Senate are considering a weaker non-binding resolution expressing concern about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and calling for negotiators to set stricter conditions on the negotiations.

On Tuesday, February 4, at 10 a.m., the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is hosting a hearing on the current negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Set to testify is Wendy Sherman of the Department of State; David Cohen of Department of Treasury; David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security; and Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Head to Reuters for more on the issue. 

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February 03, 2014