The Republican leaders worked closely with an administration they have more frequently opposed to nudge the trade bill over the goal line. The Senate voted 60 to 38 to clear legislation granting the president so-called fast-track trade authority, which would make it easier for the administration to negotiate trade deals by preventing them from being amended by Congress. He added: “We’re grateful for the President’s efforts to help us move this idea forward, and we applaud him for speaking truth-to-power to his base.” 
 
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 Congress is poised to soon clear other trade legislation sought by the White House. Entering the day, there remained a question over whether House Democrats would scuttle passage of the worker aid bill to highlight their objections to the president’s broader trade agenda. To further entice wavering Democrats to back fast-track, McConnell added to the TAA package the Leveling the Playing Field Act, which empowers U.S. companies to petition the Commerce Department to respond to trade violations. The TAA bill won support from some labor groups that successfully lobbied Democrats to earlier oppose the legislation after it became clear that the Senate will clear the fast-track bill on Wednesday. Her support is expected to sway a large portion of Democrats who voted against the bill earlier this month as part of an effort to sink the fast track trade authority legislation. “While we may not all vote in the same manner on TAA, I will support its passage because it can open the door to a full debate on [the Trans-Pacific Partnership],” Pelosi wrote in a letter to House Democrats that was released Wednesday.
– This might be why President Obama didn't seem overly concerned earlier this month when his bid for fast-track authority—seen as a major goal of his second term—seemed to be dead: It's not only not dead, it is now heading to the president's desk for his signature. The Senate today passed the measure by a vote of 60-38, thanks to some legislative maneuvering. The vote means that Obama has a much better chance of reaching a deal with other foreign leaders on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is opposed by many Democrats as a job-killer, reports the Hill. Because of fast-track, Congress will able to cast an up-or-down vote on the deal, but it won't be able to amend it. “Achieving this positive outcome was never going to be easy, but it proves that the power of a good idea, no matter where it comes from, can win out over the stasis of gridlock,” says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who formed a rare alliance with Obama. The Senate is next expected to approve a companion measure called TAA that would provide help for Americans who lose their jobs because of the deal. TAA would then go to the House, and Nancy Pelosi greatly improved its chances by supporting it today, reports the Washington Post. Even if it fails, however, fast-track authority lives. Last time around, the two measures were linked, making it easier for Democrats to torpedo the entire thing.