While President Obama said earlier this week he remains cautiously optimistic Congress will pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke more confidently that Congress will pass the trade deal. Vilsack said he expects a close vote, but added the expectation is that “a majority of both the Senate and the House will see the wisdom of getting this thing through.” Vilsack said this week the White House will mount an economic and strategic argument aimed at convincing lawmakers to support the trade pact, according to The Hill. He says congressional leadership understands delaying the deal would be costly to U.S. agriculture and the economy. Vilsack believes votes on the trade deal will look similar to the votes on Trade Promotion Authority last year and expects Congress to vote on the trade agreement during the lame-duck session following the November elections.
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