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President Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi exit a meeting with House Democrats at the U.S. Capitol on June 12, 2015.(Photo: Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — President Obama made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill Friday to meet privately with House Democrats for a final push to pass a trio of trade votes that are a top priority for his administration.
"I don't think you ever nail anything down around here. It's always moving," Obama said to reporters as he left the hour-long huddle.
A series of votes on trade adjustment assistance (TAA), trade promotion authority (TPA) and a customs enforcement bill were expected to be close in the face of near unanimous Democratic opposition.
Obama and top administration officials have worked closely with GOP leaders to advance TPA, known as fast-track trade authority, because it creates an expedited process to get trade bills through Congress. Obama is seeking the renewed authority to advance the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, a top foreign policy priority in the final years of his administration.
"It was vintage President Obama," said Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill. "I think it's a bit early to determine whether or not and to the extent that people will change whatever positions they had already taken."
Davis opposes the trade bills, but did not rule out the possibility of changing his mind. "My position has not changed yet, and we haven't vote yet, and I'm still thinking," he said.
"It didn't change my mind, but I got a better picture of how (Obama) thinks and how he sees it all coming together," said Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., who also opposes TAA and TPA. Honda, however, said it was possible they could pass. "I don't know now. He gave a good presentation," he said. "Strategically, I thought it was a good move."
The House narrowly voted, 217-212, on Thursday to begin debate on the bills, which will likely pass or fail by similarly tight margins. GOP leaders were cautiously optimistic that a final push by Obama would help secure enough Democratic votes to pass it. About 20 Democrats are publicly in favor of TPA.
"As a Democrat who has supported this administration, I wonder why we don't have a modicum of trust in this president to get out and get a good deal," said Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., who is a public supporter.
USA TODAY
Oh, shut up about trade deal secrecy: Column
USA TODAY
House begins debate on trade bills
TAA, which assists American workers displaced by trade, is opposed by most Republicans, but it must pass in order for TPA to succeed, as the votes are structured to tie the fate of one bill to the other. While Democrats support TAA as a program, there remained a number of concerns about the bill, including provisions affecting Medicare funding and an effort to extend TAA to public sector employees.
The customs enforcement bill is less controversial and expected to pass if TAA and TPA succeed.
USA TODAY
At ballgame, Obama goes to bat for free trade deal
Obama's charm offensive included an unannounced visit to the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on Thursday evening, where he greeted and posted with lawmakers. It was Obama's first appearance at the game as president.
President Obama waves to fans from the field during the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park in Washington on June 11, 2015.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images)
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