GOP Senators Block Trade Meeting

Politico reports:

Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked the Finance Committee from meeting to consider action on three trade agreements that have gained bipartisan Senate support.

Miffed that President Obama and Senate Democrats have insisted on including extension of trade adjustment assistance with the three trade deals, Republicans informed Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) of their last-minute decision to boycott the meeting. They also have sought to block other legislation because of their unhappiness over the Senate’s failure to consider the long-overdue budget resolution for next year.

While Republicans held a press conference in the Capitol to explain their absence as the committee was scheduled to convene, Finance Democrats met in their hearing room across the street to attack the GOP empty chairs. Senate rules require at least one minority-party member for the Finance Committee to have a quorum.

Aside from the Republicans’ procedural block, Baucus said, the bigger disappointment is “this boycott means the opportunity to pass important job-creation legislation is now delayed.” As a result, he added, “someone who is without a job and struggling to pay the mortgage, the car payment or their child’s tuition will have to wait.” He later added, the showdown was “a moment of truth politically. Can this country function?”