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The Bush Administration is again pushing for fast track negotiating authority in international trade deals. But President Bush and his top trade representative, Robert Zoellick, are facing criticism for pressing the issue while much of the country remains fixated on the near-daily appearance of anthrax spores and fallout from the September 11 attacks. Opponents say Zoellick is attempting to take advantage of the national scare to force his legislative objectives on a tenuous link to trade. Earlier this month the House Ways and Means Committee voted along party lines to grant Bush the authority to negotiate trade pacts leaving Congress only with the ability to accept or reject an entire trade agreement without amendments. Zoellick has said the war on terrorism makes the pursuit of open markets more vital. I think Zoellicks statement was opportunistic and I think its perceived as such in the rest of the world, said Dani Rodrik, a Harvard trade economist. The White House abandoned an effort last summer to win fast track when it became apparent there was not enough support on Capitol Hill. The IBEW and other concerned groups succeeded in defeating fast track approval in 1994. No President has had such authority since. As long as fast track represents a shortcut for the President to negotiate international agreements without enforceable standards of worker rights and environmental protection, we will stand opposed to it, said IBEW President Ed Hill. To attract overseas investment, developing countries have resisted pressure to tighten labor and environmental laws. Most House Democrats are unified behind legislation that would require countries to observe core labor rights recognized by the International Labor Organization, including the right of workers to associate and bargain collectively. A full House of Representatives vote on the issue has not been scheduled. Without a sustained effort from the President, it has been predicted that passage before the end of this year is unlikely. Observers say annual spending bills will be higher priorities for legislators whose business has been severely disrupted by the discovery of anthrax on Capitol Hill.
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