Congress would still be able to vote up or down on the agreements. The administration is facing stiff opposition from labor unions and many Democrats. Some legislators would like to attach environmental and labor restrictions to the language. House Republican leader Dick Armey has warned the White House, however, that fast-track trade legislation would pass quickly only if it was submitted without conditions attached to it.
Supporters say the fast-track legislation is needed to promote open markets for U.S. exports.
The National Pork Producers Council, the American Soybean Association, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the National Corn Growers Association are among the 39 farm organizations that have expressed support for the fast-track legislation this week. The American Farm Bureau Federation has withheld support pending release of more details about the proposal. Trade liberalization will help boost demand for U.S. corn around the world, says Susan Keith, government relations specialist for the National Corn Growers Association. But, farm group representativies have raised red flags about the Clinton plan, mainly over implementation of past agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. Farm Bureau's concerns have to do with tariff equalization, increased market access, and sanitary and phytosanitary issues.