No further details were offered by Hatch, but he expressed hope that a solution could be found. "We haven't decided the final terms, but they have indicated to me that they know they have to make" an acceptable offer, Hatch said adding that "it's up to the White House. I've told them this is a serious situation and not one they can blithely step aside on."
The administration wants TPP to be ratified during the lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections. Hatch said resolving what he termed "the biggest problem" with the pact would "go a long way" toward improving prospects for post-election ratification of the agreement. Without a resolution to the biologics issue, TPP would not pass Congress, he said. However, even if his concerns are addressed, Hatch cautioned the pact would still have a "rough time passing."