Fast-track trade authority for Obama stumbles in House

The 12 June US House of Representatives votes were confusing in that members adopted, by 219-211, a bill to give the president Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which lets him present a future trade deal for a simple up-or-down vote in Congress. And yet, the day was more loss than victory for President Barack Obama because in order for that bill to reach his desk to sign, a separate bill also needed to pass - Trade Adjustment Assistance - which helps…