Articles by Philip Brasher

The signs are pointing to movement on Trade Promotion Authority next month. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he wants the Senate Finance Committee to approve a TPA bill Ðvery quickly after we come backÐ from the two-week-Easter recess.

The Senate passed its version of the Trade Promotion Authority bill (HR1314) just ahead of the recess. House GOP leaders say they€ll take it up in June but haven€t announced a schedule yet.

The Obama administrationPs release of its final Clean Water Act rule sets the stage for a battle with Congress in coming weeks that could divide Senate Democrats.

The Obama administration has issued a final rule re-defining what streams, ponds, wetlands and other features will be regulated under the Clean Water Act. The rule includes some changes that administration officials say address concern that definitions in the proposed rul

Republican plans to use the appropriations process to block President ObamaPs regulatory agenda.

The spending limits will increase pressure on appropriators to cut money from some farm bill programs, with conservation and rural development being possible targets.

Trade Promotion Authority comes down to a few votes in the House.

Republicans are moving standalone bills to kill the WOTUS rule outright while also pursuing appropriations language that would prevent the administration from implementing the rule for fiscal 2016.

The Senate agreed to give President Obama fast-track negotiating authority to wrap up a 12-nation Pacific Rim agreement and complete a second deal with the European Union.

The fast-track trade bill cleared another hurdle as the Senate voted to move ahead on the legislation, 62-38, after a deal was reached to vote separately on the Export-Import Bank.