Rep. Nancy Pelosi: ‘Prospects for Passage’ of Trade Deal Better if Highway Bill Passes
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said her party’s support for a high-profile trade deal would improve if GOP leaders advance a long-term transportation deal.
In a letter to colleagues, Pelosi said: “The prospects for passage of such a bill will greatly increase with the passage of a robust highway bill.”
On June 12, the House rejected a piece of a trade deal known as Trade Adjustment Assistance, which is designed to assist displaced workers. Pelosi indicated her opposition to the measure until further concessions are made to her party.
On June 17, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means panel, has scheduled a hearing to identify an approach to advance a long-term highway funding plan. Ryan has ruled out an increase in fuel taxes to support the fund. The fund depends on receipts from federal fuel taxes, and over the years those taxes have become insufficient to sustain the fund’s spending obligations.
