By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News
As the trade promotion authority comes up for a vote this month, farmers hope the Illinois delegation in the U.S. House supports it.
Trade promotion authority means the administration can negotiate trade deals, and Congress can vote yes or no on those agreements, but not offer amendments.
It’s already been approved by the U.S. Senate, and Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert is encouraging House members from Illinois to vote yes.
“It’s worked well in the past. It gives our administration and our trade ambassadors the assurance (about) what they’re working on and trying to make the best agreement for Illinois agriculture,” said Guebert.
The reason the administration is asking for this authority is to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Guebert said would benefit the state’s agriculture sector. But it’s not assured of passage in the House.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Hoffman Estates) said she can’t support the proposal as-is, and Guebert said U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) is leaning towards voting against it. Both fear it would harm manufacturing.
