Legislation top priority for many groups

The U.S. Senate cleared the way Thursday for a possible final vote in the chamber on trade promotion authority, keeping alive one of the top policy priorities for a sizeablevast number of business groups.

The Senate's 62-38 vote to advance the bill came more than a week after senators voted to reject the measure. Most of the opposition has come from Democrats who fear TPA would lead to the loss of U.S. jobs. http://bit.ly/1AoGYIT

One exception is President Barack Obama, who has pushed hard for TPA so he could complete a trade deal with Pacific Rim countries. Just has adamant are the 274 businesses and associations that sent a letter to lawmakers before the vote asking them to support the legislation. The business coalition Trade Benefits America organized the effort.

TPA "would further strengthen the framework for Congress and the Executive Branch to partner to complete market-opening trade agreements that support economic growth and well-paying jobs across the country," the letter stated.

In addition, one business group is promising toit will be keeping a close eye on lawmakers. The Consumer Electronics Association said Thursday it would make the coming Senate vote a "key vote" on its legislative scorecard.

Despite appearances, TPA supporters have questioned whether the association community has done enough to ensure the bill's passage. Politico reported last week that GOP lawmakers were critical of many business groups' efforts in the matter, believing that unions that oppose the legislation have run circles around them when it came to drumming up grassroots opposition. http://politi.co/1cLpKui

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