Reid Digs in on TPA Opposition, Puts Off Decision on Iran Sanctions
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., renewed his opposition to Trade Promotion Authority in comments to reporters on Jan. 22. He also rejected the Obama administration's pursuit of free trade agreements, saying supporters have failed to demonstrate how the agreements boost the American middle class. After Republicans scored a big victory in the mid-term elections, Reid now heads a conference of 44 total Democrats, as well as two in-caucus independents.
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Instead, Congress needs to quickly rally together to pass funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security, Reid said, while emphasizing the threat of terrorist attacks similar to the recent high-profile attack in Paris. CBP funding will lapse on Feb. 28 if lawmakers fail to renew DHS appropriations. House Republicans passed a DHS bill that scales back Obama’s executive order on immigration, but Democrats, including Reid, have rejected the immigration riders. (see 1501150020). “We should put a bill on the president’s desk as soon as possible that’s clean. We don’t need any riders on it,” said Reid. “We need to get it done now … this is outrageous.”
Regarding Iran sanctions, Reid reserved judgment. The Senate Banking Committee scheduled a Jan. 22 markup for the Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act (here), a draft bill floated by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., but committee leadership later postponed that markup until Jan. 29.
Reid said there are other proposals on the table, but didn’t specify if that means there are other bills in contention or plans to tack important amendments on the Kirk bill. “Until we have something definite on the floor, I’m not going to be speculating on what I’m going to do,” said Reid. “Right now, we’ve not had a mark-up. We’ve not had a hearing. And I’m going to wait until that happens. There are a number of different proposals by a number of different senators.”